Jay Leno Flexes His 2002 Pontiac Firebird WS6

[Mumbles]

Leno takes out his 2002 WS6 T/A.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/jay-leno-flexes-his-2002-pontiac-firebird-ws6-calls-it-a-4-seat-corvette-156238.html#agal_0

 

[5th T/A]

I saw this yesterday, beautiful car, looks like new. I am not sure about his explanation of WS6. I just thought it was a production code.

[Jack]

I saw this yesterday, beautiful car, looks like new. I am not sure about his explanation of WS6. I just thought it was a production code.

He called wide suspension 6 speed... actually I don't think I know what it stands for.

[chief poncho]

Its a production code.  Even if you were going to apply it only to 4th gen cars, you could get the WS6 package with an automatic, so there goes the idea of "6 speed".  Keep in mind and most of you know, the WS6 production code has been around since 1978 when it consisted of thicker sway bars, wider wheels and tires. 

[MalteseFalcon]

They also de-contented the package between 1999 and 2000, and used standard Trans Am springs. But they didn't change the brochure, which continued to refer to unique spring and shock rates. In fact, the only suspension components that was different from a standard Trans Am were the 17" wheels and 27540R17 tires. I actually took my 2000 WS6 in to the dealer and had them confirm it, which was pretty easy since it was practically brand new and the springs and shocks still had the factory part number tags on them.

The only engine components that were different were the slightly freer exhaust and the "ram air" intake. Base Trans Ams were rated at 305 HP and WS6's were rated at 320 then 325 in 2001-2002 after they got the LS6 intake manifold. But dyno tests at the time, as well as quarter mile performance, showed that most of the differences were cosmetic. Hot Rod tested a Corvette and a base Trans Am in May 1998, and the Trans Am actually put out more rear wheel horsepower, despite it being rated at 305 HP to the Corvette's 345 HP. Hot Rod concluded that GM was selling slightly overrated Corvettes and grossly underrated F-bodies.

But we have seen them do that before.

[MalteseFalcon]

Its a production code.  Even if you were going to apply it only to 4th gen cars, you could get the WS6 package with an automatic, so there goes the idea of "6 speed".  Keep in mind and most of you know, the WS6 production code has been around since 1978 when it consisted of thicker sway bars, wider wheels and tires.

Just one thicker sway bar in 1978-1981. It used the standard Trans Am front sway bar with white polyurethane end link bushings instead of black rubber, a thicker 3/4 inch rear bar, 14:1 high-effort, constant ratio steering box, and the 15x 8" zero-offset Snowflakes.  But the tires were the same size as a regular Trans Am, they just used the metric reference: P22570R15. Front springs were regular Trans Am items, rear springs were slightly higher rate. It still made a big difference in how the car felt and performed.

And then of course in 1979, they added rear disk brakes.

[Y88 TA]

I believe Leno actually says 6 pieces not 6 speed.

[MalteseFalcon]

I believe Leno actually says 6 pieces not 6 speed.

He does.

Funny how car myths like this perpetuate.

[Mumbles]

I saw this yesterday, beautiful car, looks like new. I am not sure about his explanation of WS6. I just thought it was a production code.

He called wide suspension 6 speed... actually I don't think I know what it stands for.

I believe Leno actually says 6 pieces not 6 speed.

This is the first time I've heard that the WS6 production code was an acronym as well.  But I have to say I like it and will be using it. 

[MalteseFalcon]

I saw this yesterday, beautiful car, looks like new. I am not sure about his explanation of WS6. I just thought it was a production code.

He called wide suspension 6 speed... actually I don't think I know what it stands for.

I believe Leno actually says 6 pieces not 6 speed.

This is the first time I've heard that the WS6 production code was an acronym as well.  But I have to say I like it and will be using it. 

It's NOT an acronym. It's a Code that means, "Trans Am Speci Performance Package" when applied to Firebirds in 1978. It's actually also a general GM code that was used and continues to be used to mean "appearance and / or performance package." The idea that it's a lame acronym is just people making stuff up, and as you can probably tell, it drives me crazy.  If it was an acronym, it wouldn't make any sense, since it isn't a "wider suspension" than standard, the tires aren't even wider than standard, and there were 7 major components in the first year, and 8 in the next, if you count the rear discs as one component: steering box, front sway bar end link bushings,  lower control arm braces, rear springs,rear sway bar, 8" wheels, metric tires; 1979, add rear disc brakes.

What does "WS4", the RPO code for " Trans Am" stand for? It stands for "Trans Am" , because it's a CODE, not an acronym.

[Mumbles]

I saw this yesterday, beautiful car, looks like new. I am not sure about his explanation of WS6. I just thought it was a production code.

He called wide suspension 6 speed... actually I don't think I know what it stands for.

I believe Leno actually says 6 pieces not 6 speed.

This is the first time I've heard that the WS6 production code was an acronym as well.  But I have to say I like it and will be using it. 

It's NOT an acronym. It's a Code that means, "Trans Am Speci Performance Package" when applied to Firebirds in 1978. It's actually also a general GM code that was used and continues to be used to mean "appearance and / or performance package." The idea that it's a lame acronym is just people making stuff up, and as you can probably tell, it drives me crazy.  If it was an acronym, it wouldn't make any sense, since it isn't a "wider suspension" than standard, the tires aren't even wider than standard, and there were 7 major components in the first year, and 8 in the next, if you count the rear discs as one component: steering box, front sway bar end link bushings,  lower control arm braces, rear springs,rear sway bar, 8" wheels, metric tires; 1979, add rear disc brakes.

What does "WS4", the RPO code for " Trans Am" stand for? It stands for "Trans Am" , because it's a CODE, not an acronym.

You're right.  It's not an acronym.  Please don't think I was arguing that.

WS6 is simply an RPO code, like Z28 or L89.  It'd be preposterous to think every one of these was an acronym with some further meaning.

Perhaps I wasn't clear, but I was simply trying to point out that I'd never heard this prior to Mr. Leno's video and, despite it being inaccurate, I thought it was kind of clever.

If I should ever use the "Wide Suspension, 6 Pieces" phrase, I'll be sure to explain that this isn't the code's actual meaning, but just something cool I heard Jay Leno say.

[MalteseFalcon]

Sorry for the rant, Mumbles.

[EspriTA350]

Hot Rod tested a Corvette and a base Trans Am in May 1998, and the Trans Am actually put out more rear wheel horsepower, despite it being rated at 305 HP to the Corvette's 345 HP. Hot Rod concluded that GM was selling slightly overrated Corvettes and grossly underrated F-bodies.

But we have seen them do that before.

You wouldn't happen to still have that article, would you? Would be pretty cool to share it on here and keep it documented. I noticed Hot Rod's website seldom has some of those older articles maintained online. Occasionally I'll find an older gem, but not all of them are still there.

I did find this on camaroforums.com, though it would still be neat to have the actual article either linked here or scanned right from the source and upload the photos.

"'98 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Miles On Test Vehicle: 4,233
Engine 5.7 OHV LS1 V-8
Transmission 6M
Rated Power: 305 Hp at 5,200 rpms
335 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm

Dyno Observed Power:
292.8 Hp at 5,400 RPM
307.5 Lb-Ft At 4,400 RPM


'98 Corvette
Miles on Test Vehicle 5,237
Engine 5.7 OHV LS1 V-8
Transmission 6M
Rated Power: 345 Hp at 5,600 rpms
350 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm

Dyno Observed Power:
285.6 Hp at 5,400 RPM
301.2 lb-ft at 4,100 RPM

Winner '98 Pontiac Trans Am with 7.2 HP!

What they say: Because we tested the Pontiac Trans Am first and were duly impressed by it's near-300 Hp rear-tire reading, we expected the Corvette, with an extra 40 advertised Horsies, to deliver in the neighborhood of 320 Hp to the road. We queried tuners and members of the late-model performance aftermarket who unanimously suspect GM is installing the same 5.7L LS1 motor in Z28's, Trans Am's, and Corvettes. Yes, the intake and exhaust tracts differ somewhat, but according to these sources, not enough to account for significant performance desparities. So what we appear to have are slightly overrated Corvettes and grossly underated F-bodies. Regardless of paper-and-ink power ratings, any of these cars is capable of sub-6 second zero-60 and mid-13 second times off the showroom floor, and that's all ya really need to know.

page 46 Hot Rod Magazine May 1998."

[MalteseFalcon]

EspritTA350, yes, I believe I do. If my memory serves me, I found the article online when I was doing research around the time I I bought my 2000 WS6. I quoted the text from the same source as you, which I found by searching for "slightly overrated Corvettes and grossly underrated F-bodys" , which stuck in my mind. I'm pretty sure that I printed the article off the internet and put it in my file for the car - I didn't trust electronic storage in those days . I'm sure I have some others that might be of interest and will post them up in the appropriate place with a link here when I get home.

[Mumbles]

Sorry for the rant, Mumbles.

No worries man.  It's all good. 

[MalteseFalcon]

Sorry for the rant, Mumbles.

No worries man.  It's all good. 

I think I was triggered ....

[MalteseFalcon]

Hot Rod tested a Corvette and a base Trans Am in May 1998, and the Trans Am actually put out more rear wheel horsepower, despite it being rated at 305 HP to the Corvette's 345 HP. Hot Rod concluded that GM was selling slightly overrated Corvettes and grossly underrated F-bodies.

But we have seen them do that before.

You wouldn't happen to still have that article, would you? Would be pretty cool to share it on here and keep it documented. I noticed Hot Rod's website seldom has some of those older articles maintained online. Occasionally I'll find an older gem, but not all of them are still there.

I did find this on camaroforums.com, though it would still be neat to have the actual article either linked here or scanned right from the source and upload the photos.

"'98 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Miles On Test Vehicle: 4,233
Engine 5.7 OHV LS1 V-8
Transmission 6M
Rated Power: 305 Hp at 5,200 rpms
335 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm

Dyno Observed Power:
292.8 Hp at 5,400 RPM
307.5 Lb-Ft At 4,400 RPM


'98 Corvette
Miles on Test Vehicle 5,237
Engine 5.7 OHV LS1 V-8
Transmission 6M
Rated Power: 345 Hp at 5,600 rpms
350 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm

Dyno Observed Power:
285.6 Hp at 5,400 RPM
301.2 lb-ft at 4,100 RPM

Winner '98 Pontiac Trans Am with 7.2 HP!

What they say: Because we tested the Pontiac Trans Am first and were duly impressed by it's near-300 Hp rear-tire reading, we expected the Corvette, with an extra 40 advertised Horsies, to deliver in the neighborhood of 320 Hp to the road. We queried tuners and members of the late-model performance aftermarket who unanimously suspect GM is installing the same 5.7L LS1 motor in Z28's, Trans Am's, and Corvettes. Yes, the intake and exhaust tracts differ somewhat, but according to these sources, not enough to account for significant performance desparities. So what we appear to have are slightly overrated Corvettes and grossly underated F-bodies. Regardless of paper-and-ink power ratings, any of these cars is capable of sub-6 second zero-60 and mid-13 second times off the showroom floor, and that's all ya really need to know.

page 46 Hot Rod Magazine May 1998."

Here it is:



Easier to read: