Why exactly does the CAR WIZARD not like the CarTrek 6 2000 Pontiac Firebird WS6? //Sneak peak\\

[@Plumpers04]

I own a 95 firebird formula with a original 118,000 miles.100 % stock.no mods at all love the car it was my dads now it’s mine.he passed in 2015 from cancer.I’m keeping the car never ever selling it.only gets driven during summer time ,fall,and spring.never gets driven in rain or snow.I love everything about it

[@CB12345]

Me too, my 1995 Formula is black and fully stock. The only thing I am planning on doing to it is adding a new radio with an aux input.

[@Julian-do7bv]

These are one of the best looking cars ever made id love to own one

[@anthonykiedis1765]

One of the ugliest cars ever made *

[@justthefacts6567]

Why are you here?

[@anthonykiedis1765]

@@justthefacts6567 because I'm a car guy. I like learning about all cars, not just cars I think look nice. I don't think any of us want to buy the cheapest V12 German car in the country, but we still watch Hoovie's videos.

[@CB12345]

​It looks better and cooler than what you are currently driving. ​Folks call themselves car people and buy every other regular ugly vehicle on 99% of roads. 😂@@anthonykiedis1765

[@pdennis93]

4:30 that's not windshield washer fluid. That's the dipstick for the coolant overflow tank which is under the battery.

[@TheBassking86]

Glad I’m not the only one who noticed this but I have owned 4 4th gens lol

[@pdennis93]

I've owned my 95 Trans Am for almost 18 years and replaced that overflow a couple years ago due to the infamous broken battery hold down.

[@cali2468]

@@TheBassking86 Only 4 huh? I owned 12 of them, 93-02 models. Lol

[@Co1eTrain84]

noticed the same thing. I've owned three 4th Gen Fbody's

[@GeekyFast]

My "heavily modified" '98 Z28 1LE is a blast to drive. No fun replacing certain poorly placed routine maintenance items *staring at #8 spark plug*

[@jonotto1997]

The #8 can get bent. The fact that after 20 minutes of trying you consider dropping the engine to change a spark plug really drains a man's morale.

[@michaelthebarbarian3380]

I love 4th Gens... but I did the plugs on a 97 TA once and that turned me off from having ever owned one. I Currently own a 1996 Corvette GS, and that thing has INCREDIBLE access to the engine.

[@emtaylor31]

There were no 1LE Camaros produced in the1998 model year.

[@damianlindsey6177]

I own a 2002 and the number 8 plug issue is why I did away with my ac box completely.

[@damianlindsey6177]

@@emtaylor31 they made 99. There was no SS in 98 but the 1le did exist. Also, if you got the b4c camaro, it was everything an ss was but without that hideous hood. My dad had one and it made 35 more hp to the tires than my 2002 Z28 stock for stock on the same dyno on the same day. His Z28 made 337 hp and 361lbs and would rev all the way up to 7500. Mine would hit limiter at 7000. Both are 2.73 rear geared 4l60 auto cars and both are navy blue metallic but his interior is lighter grey and mine is almost black grey. Both are hardtops too.

[@Avi8tor857]

The oil leak at the oil filter isn't the filter itself. On LS just above it there is a plate that is used to block off the oil cooler line on some cars. This plate is notorious for leaking. The only guaranteed fix I've found is to coat the paper gasket with RTV. Put thread sealer on the two bolts and assemble it hand tight. Then after the 1-2 hour RTV set up time torque to spec each side a little at a time. I did it 4 times until I used the above method and now its 100% dry. I have the power train out of a 2000 firebird in my 1989 firebird (LS1 and T56). I built a custom wiring harness, all my factory 1989 gauges work and I tuned it using HP tuners myself... so I know this power train and computer in and out. FWIW that intake is basically stock, it would be black but otherwise plastic, and if 2002 no A.I.R injection. The number one thing people do wrong with idle on those is they don't use the mechanical stop to open up the throttle body idle screw. The Idle air control valve needs that initial blead set. Then the tuners try to force it to idle in the tune, where a setting the mechanical idle stop before tuning it will usually result in a smooth idle... The exhaust appears to be speed engineering true dual exhaust for F-bodies, I've considered it myself... but seeing how loud it is on that car I'll stick with my 2 into 1 into 2 exhaust I cobbled together. With the wiring mess its also possible the cam sensor isn't reading right and its running entirely off the crank sensor which makes it idle like crap.

[@jonsingle1614]

The stock gasket is not paper.....its metal with the rubber on the inside

[@neilbrown82]

Oil level sensor is common leak

[@Uncle05Sam]

One of the coolest factory spoilers ever. Change my mind.

[@TheG60528XiJinPing]

+1

[@averagecarguy420]

Fax

[@carsandstuff365]

Escort cosworth , wrx sti version 6 type R , evo 5

[@WSNO]

1986 trans am spoiler

[@calvincooley1074]

Agreed but I'm a fan of SALEEN wings on fox Mustangs.

[@TralfazConstruction]

Traded an '02 WS6 purchased 08-21-01 on the last '02 Firehawk east of Michigan on 07-24-02. A salesman at the local Pontiac dealer looked for one for me for two weeks. The black Firehawk looked low and sleek and slightly less ornate than the WS6 Trans Am on account of the unique hood. It was a real performer and a head-turner.

[@CHubbs376]

The real issue with that car is that somebody went cheap on some of the mods they did. That exhaust looked cobbled together with cheap stuff. The headers looked cheap, too. The ceramic coating on them certainly is, otherwise it would still be there. Those O2 sensors were mounted at too low of an angle in the headers, also, which isn't a sign of the headers being nice. If things were all hooked up properly and the tune was right that car should drive in a manner that was at least acceptable for daily use. There are some nice parts on there, though, someone spent a few bucks on a FAST intake manifold and had the letters sanded off and painted. It really wasn't too far from being a really great car for somebody.

[@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

It's about five grand away from being awesome. It's about a grand away from being great. As it stands now I'm sure it's still a blast to drive. Not everything has to be perfect to be fun.

[@danielwebster8019]

Exactly what I was thinking, it's not butchered just needs some exhausts work and a tune to make a fun daily.

[@RebelBirb]

It's neat seeing these around. I own a 2000 ws6 that has 65k miles in it, and 6 speed manual t56. I'm keeping it stock.

[@klax001]

Hell yeah, I have a pewter 2000 ws6 6speed with 57k miles. The only thing done to it is a Borla exhaust and a strut tower brace. They are great cars when they are taken care of.

[@RebelBirb]

@@klax001 amen to that brother! I was tempted to get borla exhaust on mine. But I'm gonna keep it stock.

[@aaron5785]

I have a stock 02 black trans am WS6 with 60K on it that I’ve owned for ten years. Love it and plan on keeping it. 👍🇺🇸

[@RebelBirb]

@@aaron5785 Awesome Aaron! Keep it that way! You got the very last year.

[@drunkpolack7612]

Ok boomer

[@Kevin-zr5pl]

Well I love the F body chassis, that’s just a typical TA with long tubes. Highly modified is far from the truth. That’s a toy, beat it too death, fix it, and beat it some more.

[@ny-reaper-trucker]

Im in love with it.... it sounds fantastic... the way a true firebird should sound like.....

[@andyn46]

I live in the Wichita area, I’m REALLY tempted to buy this when hoovie is done with it if the price is right. That sound is something else, I already hate my neighbors so why not

[@loganweisman1717]

These cars are so underrated, I’ve had one since 2019 and I love it.

[@CB12345]

I agree with you. These and F-body Camaros you rarely see. Honestly, I never see them when I go to car shows either.

[@daviddavis1322]

"I won't work on heavily modified vehicles" Channel is gestated with an LS swapped 911. Sure.

[@The98deville]

I think he makes exceptions for Hoovie considering he has spent almost 90k this year with him.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

I mean ,he wouldn't change the oil or the serpentine belt on this thing ? Wow 😆😆

[@gr8shot4ayankee17]

This car is far from heavily modified as well. Some bolt ons and a cam is all.

[@Timbo1969]

The stock intake is polymer, that’s probably a painted LS2 90mm intake as it doesn’t look like a FAST 90mm intake.

[@302KingCobra]

Definitely not a fast. Who in their right mind would shave a fast intake. Dumbest shit I’ve read.

[@Mustang_Chris]

"Heavily modified" is an opinion. Don't be scared Wizard. Fix the burned O2 wiring and add some mufflers, and you'd love that car.

[@michaellittlejohn8723]

5,000 RPMs of American V-8 is enough to make you shout USA !

[@GlycerinZ]

it didnt look THAT modified.. its like you toss afew things ona car an suddenly he's nervous to getg near it lol

[@Mustang_Chris]

@@GlycerinZ might be time for some valve seals and tires too.

[@92nbush]

It's been cammed along with pistons and rods and other misc stuff it was forsale a few years ago in michigan really neat to see it pop up on KZbin kick myself for not buying it guy was only asking 9k for it. Distinctly remember the 545hp stripes on the hood. He had dyno sheets in the post to pretty good deal

[@bakstabbath]

I'm normally not a fan of loud exhausts, but this TA sounds amazing!

[@intracosm]

How can you not like loud exhaust and how you feel now that you’ve been shown the light

[@bakstabbath]

@@intracosm some exhausts are loud just for the sake of being loud, yet sound like a dying Tauntaun with explosive diarrhea.

[@Carado5150]

Tbh this sounds good because it's an X pipe not a Y, and the cam of course. I have the same exhaust but replaced the mufflers which are no names with borlas. The exhaust is a pain in the ass to fit and that cars lowered so there's probably 2 inches of ground clearance.

[@JohnSmith-xx1lx]

It does sound really good, but it would sound even better with those leaks sealed up.

[@JohnSmith-xx1lx]

@@Carado5150 I think it would sound better with an h pipe.

[@ScomaAus]

I must have been around modified cars too long, that car to me is a lightly tuned street car which would likely see a lot more time on the street than on the track.

[@trixnhoez2964]

x2 It might be a race car if it were dry sumped with solid roller cam, stripped interior etc. This is just probably a stock ls1 with a cam and associated valvetrain mods. I've daily driven one a lot wilder than this for 12 years now and it's been reliable as.

[@timothythomas1737]

Looks like a gmmg car but it would have been singed on passenger strut tower and had a factory brace. Just like the berger camaros.

[@Ornelas11B]

@@trixnhoez2964 Yeah. This car looks like an idiot built it.

[@laworld3991]

I just don’t get how this car can have 545whp the way it is set up it sounds great but something isn’t adding up

[@timothythomas1737]

@@laworld3991 probably not a 5.7l.

[@carlos64030]

As a Trans Am WS6 owner for the past 25 years, I approve this video. Man, this car sounds GOOOOOOD!!! I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment of the CarTrek series! I'm gonna assume other commenters have already roasted you for calling the coolant reservoir the windshield washer fluid reservoir, so I'll just leave that one alone. 🤣🤣🤣

[@PatrickCurrie1]

Just FYI here in Australia we call those "glass pack" mufflers hotdogs. So now you can start a new trend in the U.S by using the term hotdogs. :)

[@volvo09]

I like it

[@klasseact6663]

That's a cool term, they've been called "Cherry bombs" for decades❗

[@jmh47slc]

Heaps appreciated mate.

[@StayZero556]

Y’all Australians are a strange breed. 😂

[@jasonw7497]

Appears to have dual chambered exhaust tubes behind the X-pipe. Outside of F-bodies....I don't recall many cars that had a chambered exhaust or aftermarket options.

[@jermainelewis9610]

I agree with wizard on the 1 I had 02 z28 fully stock except I added ws6 exhaust to it. They are classics and worth more stock untouched.

[@TheBassking86]

That’s not the “windshield washer fluid” 😂 that’s the coolant overflow

[@mrstackracks1189]

Lol facts

[@hankscorpio6111]

No No No... That's the blinker fluid reservoir!

[@damonbaggs3296]

Thanks for sharing that cool piece of history...i'd love to get one of my own. FYI... that is NOT a race car. Race cars are made and designed for the race track. That is a street car that was designed and made for the street with a few bolt on "go fast" parts. Those parts can be removed and replaced with OEM or equivalent. And then...well... it's still a street car, just not as annoying.

[@Pete_Finch]

Agreed on some of the mods - the "545 HP" stripes and side emblems are probably my only real gripe with the looks. Nowadays, seeing a bone stock LS1 WS6/SS/Z28/Formula/Trans Am is much rarer than seeing a modded up one

[@kevinbryant6459]

Rite, and the wheels gotta go but that is still a sweet car for sure i bet it rips!

[@edbuckley1670]

This one is not heavily modified he just thinks it is. It has cold air intake a throttle body and an exhaust and a cam. That car is probably making between 430 and 450 horsepower at the flywheel Max.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

@@edbuckley1670 400 hp is about the maximum the modified LS1s could put out a/o extensive additional mods.

[@TheyCallMeMrMaybe]

Its because nobody really cared for the 4th-gen F-bodies, unfortunately. The fact they were a cheap entry into Gen III small blocks meant they were just BEGGING to be tuned.

[@dill2576]

@@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449 What? Lol. there are a ton of and I mean a ton of ls1 fbodies with 450 wheel on sbe. you're not getting up there until around 500whp. 500whp is about the max on sbe

[@THATMOFODIRT]

My WS6 is one of the only cars that I look back at after parking. Nothing else looks like it. I'll never sell it.

[@overthehilldill3626]

When you said, "Here's the dipstick," i expected to see Hoovie walk up.

[@budaroddy]

I love the Firebird, specially the Trans Am, this and the older ones, just love them

[@thebigpicture2032]

Americana at it’s finest.

[@gdubya83]

the aftermarket raptor hood is a great look. seems like the gills could just be cut out to get the same design. the blue chrome wheels were a nice trend too

[@maximilianswansson1264]

Yes they're awesome

[@aaron5785]

Yes, I own two firebirds and a trans am.

[@cnw8891]

What makes you think it's been raced so much? Those cars, even modded, are easily daily drivable. I've done it. It's probably not as modified as you think, also. It's probably had some head work, just a port and polish of the factory heads. Probably has a factory LS2 manifold. Maybe a small cam. It doesn't sound like it has a big cam. Then there's exhaust and a tune. Pretty tame build.

[@drunkpolack7612]

Exactly

[@JasonWW2000]

I would assume it's had everything done to it.

[@ledzeppelin27]

It seems to m if someone goes through all the money and effort it takes to get the horsepower number painted on the hood, it probably was making that at some point.

[@cnw8891]

@@ledzeppelin27 But it also has "Last of the Breed" badges from 2002. The car is a 2000.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

I wouldn’t call a build that produces 545 HP “tame.” 😉

[@msc_2253]

I had an '84 Trans Am from '94-'97 and it was truly a love/hate relationship. I absolutely loved it when it was working, but there was always something broken and the next major repair was always around the corner. On the positive side, I really learned a lot about working on cars from that experience.

[@Dany-oj2jv]

Well so is my 84 vette that i had for 7 years back in 85, that car spend more time at the garage then on my driveway, the 4+3 manual trans had to be rebuilt at 55,000 miles and then the dash start blinking so is the inside light + a leaking roof and so on...

[@1337penguinman]

80s/90s GM stuff is what I learned on. Seeing this feels like coming home. I love LS motors.

[@versacechang1521]

I drove a 85 305 camaro for 5 years without ever having to replace anything but basic oil changes brake pads and a alternator belt.

[@michaeld2799md]

When you said “WAAAAAAAM” I felt that.

[@V10ViperSRT]

Looks like it has some of the SLP Firehawk mods on it to me. Firehawks were pretty much king of the road in their day.

[@2005Colly]

My buddy had a Firehawk. Awesome car. Got rid of it because he was always so scared to drive it and it get hit, scratched, etc

[@michaellittlejohn8723]

SLP did the Whole job for the Firehawks , not sure how much of this car is ALL SLP.

[@CB12345]

​@@2005CollyDang, he is not a real car enthusiast if he is scared to drive and take risks bringing out on the road. 😂

[@pali1H]

I have a 2017 Camaro 2SS Fifty Edition but still miss my 01 TA WS6 every day. It was my dream car in the late 90s when they introduced the last F-Body and was lucky enough to have my own built at the factory for the 01 model year. Broke the rear diff twice as they don't like smacking into 3rd gear.

[@AdamKing60]

The "heat shields" appear to be chambered mufflers. At least, they resemble the chambered mufflers I had on my 2004 Pontiac GTO back in 2007.

[@davidgalinat4257]

Yeah, you can tell by the indents they are chambered bullets and there are bullet/glasspack mufflers at the rear but probably don't muffle anything because of the holes that are before them.

[@jamesriddle7793]

The wizard not knowing this is crazy

[@99Vood99]

@@jamesriddle7793 Wizard's not into aftermarket/tuning, we can cut him some slack here.

[@thirty2toone]

Gmmg chambered mufflers

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@jamesriddle7793 - In another video, Wizard didn't notice fan belt upside down...

[@chrisgill7824]

My 68 year old Aunt has a WS6 but in blue. She has had it since it was new I think its a 2000 or 2001. She drives it like its stolen...lol

[@danielharder2052]

That kind of car was fun when I was 19 and still fun at 66

[@FunnyMuffler]

Bad ass car from the Y2K. Hope it gets the love it deserves to keep it going.

[@j.savage1228]

I had a 2002 but had to sell it and get an SUV after my son's were born. I'd buy it back in a heartbeat now if I could.

[@Van_Liberty]

In 1997, I bought a brand new SLP Anniversary Camaro SS with the LT1 engine and manual T-56 trans. Put ported heads, headers, LT4 GMPP Hot cam kit and tune on it and called it done. Had a great time owning it...until my heart was stolen when I saw the new Ford SVT F-150 Lightnings beating up on Camaro's, Corvettes and other fast factory cars. I Had to have one. Well, actually five over the years....

[@cali2468]

I call BS. I owned an '94 Z28 1LE M6 stock except for CAI and cut out and raced a guys stock '99 Lightning from a roll and pulled him by a car. Never forget the look on his face after hyping up his truck so much beford the race. Those Lightnings ran bottom 14s. The later years made a tad bit more power and being supercharged from the factory obviously it was easy to mod them. But they were very, very heavy; around 4700lbs compared to 3400 ish for your average F-body. Plus, they had the less desirable SOHC 5.4 and not the DOHC that came in the 2000 Cobra R. A heads, cam LT1 would show a Lightning it's tailights. I'm not even going to get into an LS1 F-body or Corvette.

[@Van_Liberty]

@@cali2468 I call FAH-Q. i saw what I saw and you did not...

[@cali2468]

@@Van_Liberty You cannot rewrite history my friend. Lightnings were nothing special. The '99 made 360hp at almost 5000lbs. You might have seen this in your dreams but not in reality. Lol

[@Epro95]

Not surprised about the exhaust banging on the axle. It's very difficult to get a true dual setup with these cars that doesn't hit the axle or the panhard bar. Also, Bilstein shocks work well with these cars with stock springs. Koni yellow shocks would make a world of difference on this car since it's lowered

[@dodgeguyz]

The exhaust banging on the axle/floor is part of the Fbody culture!

[@davidgalinat4257]

Most TDs I've seen exit in front of the rear axle.

[@oceancon]

yep, my 2.5" Borla pipe hits the axle on a hard takeoff- but I just put the radio louder!

[@cali2468]

Panhard bar relocation kit is a must have for true duals over the axle. My '02 Formula WS6 1LE had the kit from BMR. Makes a world of a difference.

[@th3b0untyhunter]

Tbh I'm not sure why the wizard keeps calling it a race car. Modified road car - for sure Race car - not even close

[@Lext87]

At the shop where I worked we had a wide mirror on the wall at the head of the lift. You won't have a problem anymore lining up for the lift. Possibly also see if you're gonna scrape or not on the ramps. And you can check if all the lights work while inside the car.

[@Revvedupmontana]

I have a huge love for the trans am's this is one of my favorite models. Got to love the pontiacs

[@RexerYTRexer]

I find it interesting and am quite amazed by how the wizard is so uptight about cars being tracked. Almost like he doesnt even want to bother talking about all the goodies under the engine and the heart of this beast. He takes and presents such a boring perspective of this car

[@raymontano6938]

Maybe he likes repairing cars more than he actually likes cars themselves? Either way man I agree it’s a little weird maybe it’s the old man starting to kick in

[@ledzeppelin27]

As a mechanic, Wizard likes things as stock as possible because that makes it easy on him. It's a lot easier and more profitable to be a parts changer than a total rebuild guy.

[@quentinc1275]

As much as that also annoyed me you have to realize that he runs a mechanic shop and not a speed shop.

[@Averagegunenthusiast]

Just his personal preferences that is all. Also modified cars tend to have issues stock cars don’t have. Those of us who modify cars just know it comes with the territory and we know how to deal with them.

[@laveritesurlestemoinsdejeh8522]

I can understand him. I feel the same way, I'm also a mechanic, I love my job but I'm not really a "car guy". And by the way, I don't consider myself a "part changer", and neither does the wizard. Even on stock vehicles, it takes a lot of knowledge and talent to properly diagnose and repair. We don't just throw parts at a car until something sticks.

[@alannilsson6509]

Those two dash cracks are Exactly where they were on my '95 Formula Firebird. Interesting.

[@CB12345]

Same here, but I am glad I still have my 1995 Formula. A great bargain and ride to drive.

[@mmontagart]

Historical stock is the only way to go with collector cars. That's what my family always does.

[@HypocriticYT]

My Camaro SS has double the mileage and is running strong. Basic maintenance goes and takes you a long way.

[@roxieloot]

Love the look of that car, wish I owned it. Not sure how someone couldn't like it.

[@boostedmaniac]

I always thought the gauge cluster was just a mish mash of gauges stuck in there by 3 different engineers. It’s like places where ever they could find space. The speedo needles looks like it rests in the steering column. I love the f-body cars, but I wish GM paid more attention to details back then.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

There is a black one of these that tears around my home town in Arizona. As a young guy I used to love these highly modified cars but now here in my later life it is just obnoxious.

[@00taohio85]

I have a 2000 TA bought new when looking the WS6 was $4,000 more i opted for the standard TA still got it love it. Only mods borla cat back and cold air intake. Runs like a rabbit.

[@stevenhill3136]

Remember how fun hot rodding was? It's ridiculous your crapping on it. The no guarantee is understandable and hot rodders know that

[@b1pig]

I've always wanted one since they came out. Always. Every time I've had the money where I might have been able to buy one... I can't find one for sale. I can't see me getting one now. But if I did, I you'd probably never hear me say anything negative about it. (till after I was forced to sell it... then I'd make it seem like it was the car's fault it got sold)

[@Urbansilverback]

Wizard we know you love the Firebird, Gremlins, Yugo, Pintos and AMC pacers

[@solidtenpin]

After my 02 TA had the cam and heads swapped, the tuner struggled a little with keeping it idling. He eventually solved it so that when I start it, it revs to around 1,400 RPM for about 3-4 seconds and settles in nice around 900 RMP. Probably makes the neighbors angry at 7AM when I leave for work though, lol.

[@302KingCobra]

My 02 ws6 had no tip in. It would start and immediately drop to low idle. No revving up. Even when warm, after any throttle blip, right to idle. My neighbors asked how it didn’t rev up and drop down like theirs. If

[@nferraro222]

Been a while since I did any car stuff, but if bystanders flinch when you light it up, you're probably doing it right:) Bonus points if small children run away and birds fall, dead, out of the sky.

[@FrankLSD38]

In 1997 I was in 11th grade and I live in Ottawa... As a high school trip we went to the Ste-Therese GM plant ...where they used to build these F-Body machines...I was an awesome tour

[@I-apologize-in-advance]

Perfect fit for no muffler Newton

[@lifestylesofthebrokeandnon3337]

I wanted this car so bad in 2000 when I was just out of high school..

[@604h22a]

Some of us still do 😜

[@theBoomerDoomer]

That is definitely one rowdy race car... I have a neighbor with a Camaro that's just as loud (but sounds better). He started it up a couple of weeks ago while I was outside, and I nearly pissed my pants because it scared me so bad.

[@fuse8052]

So loud , V8 sound and power! I think the Wizard is afraid of power , lol

[@CumminsDriver100]

Lets be honest, that toy in the back seat is indeed Tyler's. He plays with it and chews on it while driving a hooptie and thinking of Wizard's next bill.

[@michaellittlejohn8723]

Ha H a Ha Ha Ha ... yep, definitely Hoovies.

[@ekkoh7371]

That car was made for fun! Modifying them makes them look, sound and drive the way you want it to and it starts to become unique. If I were a collector I would keep it stock but that's like having a reprint of a piece of artwork...its nice but just one of thousands. Stock if fine if its a commuter but these weren't made for that anyway. So go forth brothers and sisters...MOD your vehicles of all types and make them unique and have a blast =D

[@ejsgarage]

I had a 1998 F-Body Camaro. It looked like the Firebird and it was fun but it was pain the neck to repair and maintain.

[@vw5056]

A GM product is always breaking down. It is practically a brand feature.

[@ejsgarage]

@@vw5056 I agree. It was built poorly by GM

[@CB12345]

I love these cars, but outside of the some hard to get to or work on repairs, the F-bodies in general will go down as one of the best platforms ever, even with some GM poor build quality.

[@JohnnyAFG81]

Built in Quebec Canada! This was one of my favourite firebirds body style wise.

[@pdennis93]

Yup. Ironically the Montreal band Simple Plan used one in a music video in 2005 and they didn't know the cars were built there. It was just a random car used. I was introduced to their music be ause I own a 95 similar to the one in the video and I actually gave Jeff, their guitarist a ride to his hotel in mine after a show in 2016.

[@DonRRicks]

I own a 1998 Z-28 convertible that’s not been modified. Top has been replaced, minor repair to driver’s seat and an SS hood installed. It will remain stock for as long as I own it.

[@theeducatedredneck4144]

I had a 2000, WS6, I purchased it new. I really loved the car. I had it to the track a few times and it ran low 13's consistently. I traded it in on a off lease '99 Audi A8 in 2002.

[@anthonykiedis1765]

You traded a WS6 for...an Audi? Why?!

[@theeducatedredneck4144]

@anthonykiedis1765 I got married to a woman with two boys. I had different priorities and new responsibilities. I have a LS3, C6 these days.

[@anthonykiedis1765]

@@theeducatedredneck4144 I guess it makes more sense since you had a good reason behind it. I also have a Corvette as my fun car. A 2023 C8 w/z51

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

As a mechanic, I don’t like modified vehicles. As a driver, I love modified vehicles.

[@markm1514]

The holes give that, "je ne sais quoi" to the exhaust note.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

You know in over 45 years of working on cars, I've never seen a single street rod with a shred of documentation of what work had been done before I saw the car. And it always clunked in with a brand new clueless owner behind the wheel or pushing it. If all of the mods had been documented, it would have been a lot easier to diagnose and fix. I honestly once spent nearly a week trying to figure out what the motor was before I had the first direction on how to make it run right. And yes... of course the previous owner had passed away and not a shred of documentation in the car. Thankfully, the "new" motor had a rather unique factory paint job that narrowed it down to one of two years... which was close enough to get it running right again, by mostly replacing stuff that had been deleted.

[@TheDasbull]

Most hot rodder's/tuners don't document their builds. My modified cars are fully documented - so I can remember what had been done. Especially if your build uses non stock parts from other manufacturers 🙂👍

[@RJ-vb7gh]

@@TheDasbull You are most certainly doing yourself and anyone who follows you a real kindness.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

@Mike As the result of a bad joke and strange luck, I adopted a free car. I cleared out the hornets, rats and made keys and got it running and drove it home... Then I find out that the engine was wrong, and it had been completely rewired without a schematic, by someone who was apparently color blind... When you turned on the high beams the gas gauge went to empty. Damn thing wouldn't die... It was good for years of fun.

[@nicholasvinen]

I have quite a bit of documentation of what's been done to mine and I have kept it all in one place. Maybe not down to the nut and bolt but it lists everything major that has been replaced or changed along with dyno graphs of before and after each tune.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

@@nicholasvinen If anyone else ever has to work on your car, they will be very grateful to you. The day you pop the hood to do some simple maintenance and find the wrong (and modified) engine lurking beneath, you will appreciate just how much documentation really means.

[@gillm12]

I fully agree with wizard. I wish my 2001 camaro was stock but it's heavily modified, everything is a chore to work on with all the aftermarket parts.

[@Dozav7]

A couple high-flow mufflers would help a lot.

[@badopinionsrighthere]

I have an unnatural love for these, even knowing it's not a very good car.

[@SA-zoom1]

I doubt this has more than 400hp. I had one with vortech supercharger, that included an intercooler, chargecooler, exhaust etc big injectors, race tune and it made about 570hp

[@davidgalinat4257]

There would need to be major cam/heads work to get well above 500 hp, bolt ons will get you to 400 though.

[@SA-zoom1]

@@davidgalinat4257 absolutely

[@Darylrb1983]

It certainly can have that much based on the build spec

[@HowardJrFord]

@@davidgalinat4257 it has aftermarket heads , you can see the logos on the passenger side head . I couldn't make out what kind tho .

[@brendyngreiner3148]

Its obviously crank HP. Heads/Cam/Intake will net 540 crank, or 450 whp. which is what this has

[@iamnobody3793]

The ls1 and ls6 intake that came on those ls1's was also plastic but that is definitely a FAST intake.

[@tashawegmueller1866]

I was betting it was a fast one as well

[@c5natie1]

Ive been around LS cars a long time and no way that car makes 545hp either crank or tire. Clean car though

[@daviddavis1322]

Maybe it used to have a 150 shot of nitrous lol.

[@c5natie1]

@@daviddavis1322 I wouldnt be surprised if it still wouldn't hit 545 lol. Plus we all know that hp emblems are to designate engine output...without spray

[@slowgoat6089]

Thats what im saying!!! 400hp max!

[@RedWave610]

It still has the factory 10 bolt rear-end in it, so I doubt it has 545 HP...

[@RedWave610]

It only made 410hp on the dyno on CarTrek.....

[@deaks25]

I can fully understand Wizard having an aversion to modified cars because I'm sure he (And every mechanic in history) having a modified car come into a shop with so many issues due to many hands fiddling, that diagnosing even simple issues is next to impossible or a massive pain because of how many layers of problems and fixes and work-arounds that have been done.

[@bonitamarconett4583]

these cars were way more fun than any VW could ever be

[@biff85ta2]

That's the coolant reservoir behind the battery the fittings on the headers are for air injection as that year did not have EGR. The intake manifold is painted which isn't stock but otherwise appears to be stock. If I had the money I would have jumped on that one when hoovie was dumping cars.

[@JasonWW2000]

Thats an aftermarket intake. Probably aftermarket TB as well.

[@mikeybhoutex]

One of my favorite styles of Firebird ever. Too bad someone had to go jack it up like that. :(

[@goblinzl1]

looks like a custom TD setup. id change it out for an slp dd OR BORLA or corsa ect. im a big ls/fbody fan. ive had my 99 ss SINCE IT WAS NEW. ton of money into it and never ending repairs but ill never sell it.

[@ForzaUBS]

SHOW THEM WHY YOU’RE THE BEST MECHANIC WIZARD I LOVE YOU

[@ThatG8Guy]

Man that thing sounds so sick, you look right at home in it wizard

[@joepetro9462]

I can see hoovies new superbird back there

[@RearEngineShop]

It’s a good looking car. Now I want to get my 81 turbo trans am back on the road.

[@thecman26]

Oh my, what a car! Bone stock the WS6's were phenomenal! I could've never afforded such a sweet ride sadly enough... Some people can't leave well enough alone and have to get moar powah! I would've been happy with a stock trans am!

[@thecman26]

Back in the day I worked at a local Chevrolet/Pontiac dealer. We had what I called the perfect car. A brand new 1997 Chevrolet Z28. Power nothing, LT1 V8 6 speed, basic wheels, hard top, manual windows, and cheap tape deck. Poor thing sat on the lot for almost 2 years till it was sold... Even in that spec it was over my budget. I think it was $18,000.

[@2005Colly]

My buddy had a Firehawk. Was an awesome car. He got rid of it because he drove it but was always scared of it getting messed up

[@vw5056]

@@thecman26 speced like that it had a chance of being somewhat reliable i guess.

[@thecman26]

@@vw5056 it was a great looking car with nothing it didn't need in my opinion! Had the motor and trans. It did have limited slip rear diff. Otherwise a nice cheap spec! Still kick myself for not buying it!

[@iamnobody3793]

I have 2 ws6's. One is a daily and the other is a toy. I love them both for different reasons. The stock daily rides and drives nice the but is a turd compared to my other one.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

From what I remember, installing long tube headers on the F-body’s was always a pain because the car already was low to the ground stock. This WS6 looks like it has a lowering kit.

[@231mac]

I dunno, I _really_ wanna see a dyno sheet before I believe 545 hp...

[@specialteerecords]

I'm not really a Pontiac guy but damn this car looks good.

[@dodgeguyz]

Never understood the ooh aah over the WS6. You didn’t get much more with it over the standard Trans Am. And for how much more it was I would expect a lot more than a few add ons and stiffer suspension!

[@davidowen888]

I absolutely love those cars as well 🤞someday I will have one

[@granprixgtp23]

One of the most sexy cars that GM produce

[@aaron5785]

I agree

[@JacobLAChristenson]

Dream car right there!! I'm seconding the heat shield are chambered mufflers and that's why it's so loud. Those two little hot diggers are to quiet it more lol.

[@saadgt2009]

You're SO right about loud exhausts 👍. And, the modified ones too! Keep it stock, maintain it, treat it with respect & mechanical sympathy. 🖖🙏🇨🇦

[@volvo09]

Yeah, I grew out of loud cars after I was no longer 18. Don't need to announce to the world and all the police in a 1/2 mile radius that I just accelerated hard.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

Some cool facts: 1. WS6 has a transmission cooler. 2. The hood scoop is functional and is a real ram-air setup. 3. The engine is aluminum and is the same one in the Corvette for that year. GM had to underrate them but they put out the same hp and torque. 4. They have a 6-speed transmission with the dreaded “skip shift” feature to save gas and I think to avoid the “gas guzzler tax” imposed on high performance cars of that era. 5. These cars greatly benefited from the installation of aftermarket sub-frame connectors to stiffen the chassis. 6. This car soundly kicked the Mustang in the nuts until Ford unveiled the legendary “Terminator” Cobra with the supercharged 8-cylinder engine. Then, Ford began kicking GM in the nuts.

[@dieseltech139]

Who cares what the wizard likes. That car is awesome! 👍

[@squidwartztortellini8812]

Its kinda nostalgic to see this car again after a long time. I know the car design precisely even though there are no Pontiac firebird here in my hometown. How do I know ?, Well. . . Hot wheels !

[@danmorgan552]

Not sure I'd call a car with a tune, headers and an upgraded throttle body heavily modified, but ok.

[@ForzaUBS]

The wizard lives in a fantasy land where he knows all tho so in that land this thing is modified beyond recognition when in reality it modified like a high school kid on a part time job budget would do

[@TheRealJLucas]

Heavily modded to get an extra 200 horse to the wheels. I have an 01 WS6 with 75k

[@ws6nightmare]

@@TheRealJLucas i know we'll never know for sure, but i would promise you that car is not making an extra 200 rwhp.

[@ProbeGT2]

how can you tell it has not got aftermarket head, cam, lifters, pistons, stroket kit etc, you got x-ray eyes?

[@ws6nightmare]

@@ProbeGT2 it has a cam, no debate. At face value that car is a touch over 400hp. Could it be a stroker? Ya, but the way it runs tells me it doesn't, because if they had the money to do that level of work, it would have a proper tune, which it doesn't. It's a run of the mill "last of the breed" Trans Am with a cam and some bolt ons.

[@xyjoshxy]

I had an 02 TA and I miss this car so much. But that banging I think it's normal. I always had an issue with that. Till this day it was my favorite exhaust sound IMO. These cars have aged beautifully

[@nelsonserrate9281]

Glad to see a video after the tornadoes that ripped thru the area. Great video too.

[@CarWizard]

No tornados here. None. Im in Kansas. Not Arkansas or Kentucky

[@nelsonserrate9281]

@@CarWizard my bad. Been gone from the states too long but glad you guys are good!

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

I used to love crushing guys WS6 dreams in my little Honda CRX back in the early 2000s. Beating muscle cars was what made me love sleeper looking imports.