Modified Pontiac Trans AM WS6 T-Top Build

The 4th Gen F-body Pontiac Trans Am has a soft spot in the heart of every 90’s and 2000s kid, with its iconic Targa Top shape. But what made these cars so cool was the LS1 V8 engine and its high performance versions called WS6 which helped to keep the muscle car spirit alive.

Once I first stumbled upon David’s Trans AM, it immediately caught my attention. It didn’t have screaming exterior mods, but I immediately felt that it was one of the best WS6 builds I’ve seen. It featured lots of subtle upgrades that perfectly enhanced the original styling with some custom bits, promising that there’s something more under the hood.

Key Mods

• LS1 top end build
• BMR Suspension
• Sleepy LED headlights

David Miller’s WS6 Build

David has taken care of every aspect of the build – improving the suspension, performance, and of course the look. Read on to find out more about this awesome build; perhaps it will inspire you to modify your own Trans Am in a similar way.

“The Trans AM WS6 came to life in the late 90’s as a high-performance variant of the Firebird”.

Performance Mods

The performance heart of David’s Trans AM WS6 is a thoughtfully modified LS1 engine that now delivers an impressive 389 horsepower to the wheels. The cornerstone of this build is the Comp cam, which optimizes valve timing and lift to unlock additional power throughout the RPM range. This works in harmony with the shaved heads that increase compression ratio and improve combustion efficiency.

“The LS1 engine, a 5.7-liter V8 powerhouse, was introduced in the 1997 Corvette and was then brought into the F-body platform for the Firebird and the Camaro”.

The SLP lid enhances airflow into the engine while the LT headers dramatically improve exhaust scavenging, allowing the engine to breathe more freely.

Complementing these core performance upgrades is the Borla cat-back exhaust system featuring an electric cutout that gives David the ability to switch between a civilized tone and the raw, thunderous sound of American muscle on demand. The entire setup is secured with ARP hardware.

Together, these upgrades transform the already potent LS1 into a more responsive and significantly more powerful powerplant while maintaining the characteristic rumble that Trans AM enthusiasts love.

Suspension & Wheels

The suspension upgrades on David’s Trans AM create a balanced performance package that enhances both handling precision and power delivery. BMR springs paired with Koni shocks provide improved body control while maintaining reasonable ride quality for a street-driven muscle car.

The addition of BMR lower control arms, panhard bar, and LCA relocation brackets significantly reduces wheel hop under hard acceleration—a common F-body weakness.

At the heart of the drivetrain improvements is the S60 rear end with aggressive 3.73 gears, complemented by a transmission reinforced with a 2500 stall converter, upgraded valve body, and shift kit that includes the drag-strip-ready line lock feature.

This carefully selected suspension setup works in harmony with the Aodhan DS08 18×9.5 wheels, which not only enhance the Trans AM’s stance with their +35 offset but also allow for the fitment of grippy Kenda Kr20a tires that put all 389 horses firmly to the pavement.

Exterior and Interior Mods

The exterior and interior upgrades on David’s WS6 embrace a philosophy of subtle custom touches rather than radical modifications. On the outside, Magg Performance front and rear splitters add an aggressive aerodynamic profile while complementing the Trans AM’s factory lines.

One the coolest touches is certainly the CETA-modified “sleepy eye” LED headlights give the front end a more menacing appearance while providing superior illumination, further complemented by LED fog lights (this mod is pretty popular on the pop-up headlight cars – this C5 Corvette that we featured recently is a good example).

Inside, David has focused on driver engagement with a Villante steering wheel mounted on an NRG carbon fiber quick release hub, providing improved grip and feedback.

The modern Jensen double-din head unit brings contemporary connectivity to the cockpit, while the AEM wideband tachometer on custom pillar pods allows for precise monitoring of the engine’s performance.

Another cool custom touch is the WS6-branded 3D printed shifter — a perfect blend of modern technology and model-specific personalization that shows David’s attention to detail and commitment to Pontiac heritage.

List of Mods

Performance

• Basic LS1 top end build
• Comp cam
• Shaved heads
• ARP hardwear
• SLP lid
• LT headers
• Borla cat back with electric cutout
• Dynoed 389HP to the wheels

Suspension

• BMR springs
• Koni Shocks
• BMR lower control arms
• Panhard bar
• LCA relocation brackets
• S60 Rear end with 3.73 gears
• Small trans build with a 2500 stall
• Upgraded Valve Body and shift kit (It has line lock)

Interior

• Villante steering wheel with NRG carbon fiber quick release hub
• Jensen double din head unit
• AEM wideband tachometer on pillar pods
• Custom WS6 3d printed shifter

Exterior

• Magg Performance Front and Rear splitters
• CETA mod sleepy eye LED headlights
• LED help fogs

Wheels

• Aodhan DS08 18×9.5 +35 wheels
• Kenda Kr20a tires

Conclusion

David Miller’s 2002 Trans AM WS6 scores highest in Performance (10/10) and Suspension (10/10) categories, with the comprehensive LS1 build and BMR suspension setup demonstrating a serious commitment to enhanced driving dynamics. The Exterior (3/10) and Interior (3/10) modifications are more restrained but purposeful, with the custom sleepy eye headlights and Villante steering wheel serving as signature touches.

This build perfectly exemplifies the “stealth performer” approach – a vehicle that maintains a relatively subtle (but cool) appearance while packing some serious performance upgrades.

Technical Specifications

Watch the progress and find out more about this Pontiac Trans AM WS6 project by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @imadrone2!

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