My 2002 Collector Edition Trans Am

Legends aren't born, they're made...and this one had been in the making for 35 years. Furthermore, factory stock, this bird could prove her merit with a 0-60 time of under 5.5 seconds due to the 325 horsepower LS1 under the functional ram air hood. And after I made a number of engine modifications, she was considerably faster! This car was my own personal exclamation point to the 32 years that I had owned Firebirds, and the Collector Edition Trans Am was one rare bird. Only 2,000 of these customized Firebirds were produced, or carried the Collector edition emblem--the undisputed symbol of Pontiac's ultimate performance machine, and the last of a breed.

Outfitted in its exclusive Pontiac Collector Yellow paint scheme, the Collector Edition features a special "screaming chicken" graphic package that gives a nod to the eye-catching hood designs of the '70s and '80s Firebird and Trans Am models. Two black racing stripes adorn the hood of the vehicle and wrap themselves around the car's doors and rear quarter panels. The rear fascia also gets special attention with a two-tone Collector Yellow and black treatment, while both Collector Edition and Trans Am nameplates accent the lower doors.

Ram Air WS6 Performance and Handling Package

The Ram Air WS6 performance and handling package was standard on the Collector Edition. The factory conservatively rated the all-aluminum LS1 5.7L V8 at 325 horsepower at 350 lb-ft. of torque (with WS6 package refinements), but dyno testing by LS1 enthusiasts usually put the numbers slightly higher. Staying true to the tradition of the WS6 performance and handling package's exterior appointments, the Collector Edition includes black-painted WS6 wheels, black anodized front and rear brake calipers and black-painted axles. Goodyear Eagle F1 Z-rated performance tires were standard.

Interior Details

Inside the 2002 Collector Edition are exclusive interior trim appointments that highlight well remembered designs of Firebird and Trans Am through the years. Seats are ebony leather with headrests embroidered with Collector Edition logo. Also sporting the Collector Edition logo are front floor mats and a trophy/shelf mat. A special issue Collector Edition owner's portfolio was also provided to each privileged owner.

2002 Collector Edition Trans Am Details

Collector Edition final numbers:
T-Top Automatic- 510 T-Top Manual- 839 My car = 1 of 839 TOTAL T-Top- 1349 Convertible Automatic- 492 Convertible Manual- 549 TOTAL Convertible- 1041 GRAND TOTAL= 2390
Production figures

2000 shipped to the US, 390 shipped to Canada

Standard Equipment
Power antenna Power windows Power door locks Remote keyless entry Theft-deterrent alarm system Driver 6-way power seat Monsoon Series AM/FM radio with CD player Hatch roof (T-Tops) on coupe model
Factory Options
Traction control declined Trunk-mounted 12-CD changer declined Hurst "Short-Throw" shifter (the only option I chose for my 6-speed manual transmission CETA)
Personal Performance Modifications
BMR Boxed Subframe Connectors {Yellow) • Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace {Yellow} BMR Panhard Bar {Yellow) • BMR Rear Lowr Control Arms {Yellow) TA Performance's rear-end cover • Direct-Flo Airlid • SLP Smooth Bellows Brian Green Ram Air System • Bo White Ported Throttle Body • LS2 Chain NGK TR55-IX {Iridium} Plugs • SLP Underdrive Pulley • 180 Thermostat TSP Ported Oil Pump • Dynatech SuperMAXX Header System Comp Cams Custom Grind (220/224 .532/.535 114) • Comp Cams 915 Springs & Pushrods Custom PCM programming

First, there are the light-duty bolt ons, like replacing the factory airbox lid, opening up the ram air system, and porting the throttle-body. Second, were the more aggressive bolt-ons, like a custom ground camshaft and stainless steel headers with dual hi-flow, stainless steel catalytic converters. Finally, the Trans Am was strapped to a Dynojet, where the factory LS1 computer was re-tuned to do its job better, with more timing and a corrected air/fuel ratio. The results were an excellent increase with numbers peaking at 373 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque.

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Copyright 2009 © Ron A. Nerad