1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Ram Air WS-6
1 of 473 built
389 RWHP (Rear Wheel Horse Power – About 450 at the flywheel)
I have done some research and it is a pretty rare! Only 473 built 1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula Ram Air WS-6 Coupes were built. There were 2,827 WS-6 Trans Am's built in 1997, so they are a little more common. I have checked the service parts label on the driver’s door and code WS-6 is listed, so it is a real deal!!
Factory Options:
• 350 LT1- 305 HP
• WS6 Ram Air Package
• Leather Interior
• T-Tops
• Power Windows, Locks, Mirrors, ect.
• Power Mirrors
• Factory CD Player w/ Moonsoon 10-Speaker System
Body
• Currently has 103,250 miles
• Original GM Red
• Original GM WS6 Ram Air Hood
• Original GM “Ram Air” Box w/ K&N Air Filter
• Trans AM Rear Spoiler
• Repainted entire car in 2004
• Old School “FORMULA” Decal on rear bumper
• NEW GM Tail Lights
• Power Antenna
• Tinted Windows
I repainted the entire car in 2004 the paint. I replaced the taillights with NEW GM ones (pic) so they are in good shape as well. The lights and power antenna work properly. I also painted underneath the hood and engine compartment when I replaced the engine. It was painted base coat / clear coat as well.
Interior
• Red Leather Seats (Came out of a 95 Trans Am)
• Drive Seats is just now showing some wear, but no rips.
• Red Leather Door Panels (Also out of a 95 Trans Am)
• Silver Face Gauge Inlay’s
• Power Lumbar and Bolster Seats
• Power Windows. Locks & Mirrors
• “SLP” Floor Mats
• Stock GM “Monsoon” CD Player System with Steering wheel controls
• RED Shifter Ball w/ PONTIAC Crest logo
Interior is in excellent condition. The dash panel, door panels, plastic trim panels and console are in good condition with no cracks. The originally interior was graphite leather that was starting show its age. The common driver’s seat problem, ripped bolster (from getting in and out of the car). Well I came across a wrecked 1995 Trans Am with 50,000 miles that had RED leather interior and I thought it would look good In the Formula since it was a red car. So I transferred the entire interior into the Formula. Everyone that seems to likes it. It fits the look of the car! All the gauges work as does the A/C and heating systems. I just served the A/C system with a new dyer and 134a Freon so the A/C blows cold. The power windows, mirrors and locks work. The passenger side window is a little slower than the driver’s side when going up or down. The headliner is also in good condition with no rips and it is not sagging anywhere.
Engine
• Currently has 12,000 miles on a built LT1 – 355 (Bored .030)
• 6” Forged Rods
• Wisco Forged Pistons
• Stock Crank
• 11:1 Compression
• Balanced Rotating Assembly
• Advance Induction CNC 190cc Heads
• CNC Ported Intake & Exhaust runners
• CNC unshrouded Combustion Chambers
• 100% CNC Competition F1/Cup Quality Valvejob
• Valves Prepped & Back Cut
• Steel Jacketed Viton Seals
• Stainless Competition Plus Super-FLo Valves 2.00" Int/1.56" Exh
• CompCams "Beehive" Springs
• CompCams Machined & Hardened 10deg Retainers, Locators, and Locks
• Comp Cams - Custom Ground by Advance Induction
• Comp Cams - Hardened Push Rods
• Comp Cams 1.6 Roller Rockers
• ARP 7/16" Pro Series Rocker Studs
• ARP Head Bolts
• Holley 58mm Throttle Body
• Factory Engine Oil Cooler
• Ported Intake by Advance Induction
• Ceramic Coated Intake, Valve Covers, Brackets, ect. By Air Borne Coatings
• Tuned by Carolina Auto Masters in Durham, NC
• 389 RWHP (Rear Wheel Horse Power – About 450 at the flywheel)
Well if you read the list of modifications then you know what’s been done. Nothing was wrong with the original engine. I came across a short block for $150 and I decided to rebuild something a little more powerful. I thought about building a 383 but for the additional cost I didn’t think it was worth it. I had a professional shop build the short block for me out of Taylorsville, NC. They had built several engines for me before without any failures. We retain the stock crank and polished it. As the list stated we went with a 6” forged rod with Wiesco forged pistons. The rotating assembly is balanced so you can take this engine to 6,500 rpm’s with no problem. I contacted Advanced Induction to build me a set of CNC’d heads with a matching camshaft and intake. The engine combination has the best of everything you want for a street engine. Do some homework and you will see that I only used quality parts. I would say that this engine has 12,000 miles on it since it’s rebuild.
Transmission
• T56 - 6 Speed – Rebuilt 4,000 miles ago
• Rebuilt by D & D Performance
• Steel Shift Forks and Dog Legs
• Best of everything
• RAM HD Clutch/ Pressure Plate Setup
• Pro 5.0 Short Throw Shifter
The Formula originally came with a automatic but I converted to a 6 speed, Shifting gears is a lot more fun! I found a core and had it shipped to D & D performance in Michigan. They went through and replaced the weak parts with aftermarket race quality parts as shown in the list above. I have not had any issues with the transmission. Now since the car was an automatic putting the car into reverse takes a little more effort. The reverse lockout solenoid stays locked and does not release. It does take a little effort to push the shifter lockout solenoid into reverse. It’s not a big deal! My daughter can do it! The solenoid has a bypass feature so encase it goes out you still can get it into reverse. The solenoid is electric so it could be wired up to a release switch if needed.
Rear End
• Stock Rear End Housing
• 3:73 Ratio Gears
• Auburn Posi-Unit
• Moser Hardened Axles
• TA Performance Aluminum Cover/Griddle
The rear end still uses the stock housing with upgraded 3:73 gears, axles and support cover. It does not make any noise what so ever. The Auburn posi-unit is the stock unit. That is an SLP WS6 and SS option only.
Exhaust
• “Jet-Hot” Ceramic Coated Headers
• Custom 3” Y-Pipe Ceramic Coated (NO CATS)
• “Borla” Exhaust System Ceramic Coated (Adjustable)
• Complete Header / Exhaust System is Ceramic Coated by “Air Borne Coatings”
The exhaust system is stainless steel but it is also completely ceramic coated. It also DOESN'T have CATS. So you will need to check your local laws regarding inspections. Right now it has O2 simulators installed so it will pass inspection. You could easily install CATS if needed. This car sounds awesome! Serious CAM lope! You will not be disappointed with the way it sounds. It is loud but since it is a Borla exhaust system it is adjustable.
Suspension
• “RaceCraft” Tubular Front K-Member
• “Spohn Performance” Front Tubular Upper & Lower Adjustable Control Arms
• “Random Technologies” Adjustable Torque Arm
• “SLP” Drive Shaft Safety Loop
• “Elderbrock” Adjustable ISA Coil Over Front Shocks
• “Eibach” Pro-Kit Rear Lowering Springs
• “Hotchkis” Sway Bar Kit, 1 7/16" Front, 1" Rear
• “Hothckis” Rear Control Arms
• “Hotchkis” Adjustable Pan Hard Rod
• “Hotchkis” Sub Frame Connectors
• “Hotchkis” Strut Tower Brace
• “Energy Suspension” Sway Bar Bushings & Links in RED
• “KYB” Rear Shocks
• All parts powder coated in Black and Red
As you can see there not much left to do to the suspension. Car drives like it is on rails….
Brakes
• Baer 13" Front Track System
• Cross drilled, slotted, zinc wash 2 pc Eradispeed-PLUS rotors
• Black powder coated calipers w/ “BAER” logo
• Baer 13" Rear Track System
• Cross drilled, slotted, zinc wash 2 pc Eradispeed-PLUS rotors
• Stock Calipers
• Baer braided flex hoses – Front and Rear
As with the suspension there is not much left to do to the brakes. Car stops like a race car….
Wheels and Tires
• 2001-04 Corvette Z06 Wheels – Original GM
• 17x9.5 Front w/ 275/40-17 Firehawk Wide Oval Tires
• 18x10.5 Rear w/ 295/35-18 Firehawk Wide Oval Tires
November 16th, 2008 - Kershaw, SC - 2.33 Mile Road Course
Well it is a beautiful Sunday to learn how drive on a 14 turn road course. (Check out the course map) As with any car guy I thought I could drive BUT I WAS WRONG! I did go with an open mind and I knew I would learn alot. My instructor drove a 1999 Porsche 911. He was an excellent instructor that took his time and was patient with me. Well after first 20 minute classroom lecture we hit the track. The Formula performed as I knew she would. She put up with all the hard turns and hard braking. The Baer brakes did their job with poise and no fade! I love BIG BRAKES! We would come down the striaght aways at 90-95 and hit the brakes HARD and turn. All I can say is that it was the most fun I have had with my clothes on! Everyone needs to do this once! There was (3) 20-minute classroom sessions and (5) 20 minute track session. I can't wait to do this again in the spring!
