'98 Firebirds Lot#1

The 1998 Pontiac Firebird, Formula & Trans Am
Lot#1

This is a convertible Trans Am equipped with the Ram Air package. The car made an appearance at the 1997 Trans Am Nationals held in Dayton, Ohio. The pics were taken and submitted by Kenny G. The introduction of the ALL new 1998 Trans Am has proven to be an extremely exciting one. While the outward appearance may not please everyone, the new LS1 engine combined with a host of other upgrades should.
The new LS1 is an all aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners and cast aluminum heads. The 90 degree 5.7L V-8 displaces 346 cubic inches and with a 3.90 bore and a 3.62 stroke the standard horsepower rating is now 305hp @ 5200 rpm with torque figures at 335 lbs.-ft @ 4000rpm. Some other interesting additions to the new block are six bolt mains, hypereutectic pistons, powder metal connecting rods, a nodular iron crankshaft, a coil per cylinder ignition system, and a cast aluminum oil pan. There are a slew of other improvements and new technologies associated with this motor. I hope to provide an illustrated breakdown of the new engine soon. The Ram Air version will come in around 320hp.

The new Formula with a Ram Air hood. Contrary to many fears the new Birds did not lose their signature Flip-Up headlights. They remained but with a new design. Each housing now holds two "mini-beam" headlights that are supposed to improve lighting during nighttime driving. Driving lights are also now standard equipment for Firebirds.
          Additionally heat extractor ducts are once again installed in the fenders to help with brake cooling. The braking system has also been redesigned. New rotors up front have increased in diameter from 10.7 inches to 11.9 and in the rear from 11.4 to 12 inches. Also installed in the front are aluminum dual-piston calipers and brake linings have been changed from semi-metallic to organic. The Anti-lock Brake System is now a solenoid based system manufactured by Bosch. An Electronic Brakeforce Distribution system has also been installed and the Firebird is the first American car to utilize this system. It replaces the standard hydraulic proportioning valves. Lastly the new Firebird also gets a revised traction control system that is operator selectable from the interior.

This beautiful white Trans Am is owned by Eric Cerney and its the first privately owned '98 to be added to the site. The TA comes equipped with the standard 5.7L V-8 rated at 305hp and the optional 6-speed manual transmission. Eric has wasted no time however in adding some modifications to the car. Most of these were taken from the '96 TA (see the '96 Firebirds Lot#1) that was sold to facilitate purchasing this car. They include:

Suspension modifications:
BMR Shock Tower Brace	1LE Swaybars
Herb Adams adjustable panhard rod with spherical end links	BMR Full Length Torque Arm
Bilstein Shocks	BMR Control Arms
Autox Alignment	Custom sub-frame connectors from Road Tech
BFG 275/40ZR17 Comp TAs	GM 1995 ZR1 Wheels

Performance modifications:
Mobil1 Synthetic throughout the drive train	Dynomax Ultraflow muffler
ASP Underdrive Pulleys	2000 exhaust manifolds plus down pipe mod
Cut out hood nostrils mod	Custom True Dual Exhaust
Lower Air Box Cut Out	TB coolant bypass
ERG mod	Direct-Flo Air Lid
Ported MAF and screen removal	Lower Thermostat
Cooling Fan Mod	TPS adjustment (throttle bump stop mod)
Bosch Platinum+4 Spark Plugs

Misc modifications:
Converted clutch master cylinder to adjustable	ARE LS6 High Volume Oil Pump
Drilled out clutch hydraulic line mod	PCV mod
B&M Ripper	Trunk Insulation
B&M Hammer Shift Knob	!CAGS
KVR cross diller rotors and pads	!DRL
Mecham Exhaust Tips

Performance Data:
Best ¼ mile time: 13.262 @ 106.85 mph
Best 1/8 mile time: 8.678 @ 84.43 mph
Best 0 - 60 time: 5.11 secs
Dyno: 324.2hp & 334.8 ft/lbs torque

Eric's best time to date is 14.050 @ 102.59mph. Eric used to own two '78 Trans Ams and you can go by the '78 Firebirds Lot#1 if you'd like to see them. A '95 Trans Am also once graced his driveway. It can be seen at the '95 Firebirds Lot#1.

This 305 HP LS1 Formula is owned by Jim Scialabba. Jim had been the proud owner of a '95 Firebird for some time when Pontiac graciously sent him some info and pictures of the new '98s. After perusing the material he decided to visit the local Pontiac dealer "just to have a look". A few hours later he was driving home the beauty you see here. Jim writes:

"I considered the Trans Am, but when we lined them up together, I liked the front end of the Formula much better. At the time of purchase, there were only 100+ Formulas in the Great Lakes Area, and only 2 Black Formulas. I suppose it was just nice to be the first on the block with a new toy."

Like most folks Jim has a few mods planned for the new Formula including a Flowmaster Cat Back exhaust system and a K&N intake.

Jim is a true lover of Pontiacs and owned two Firebirds previous to this one. The aforementioned 1995 Firebird (seen at the '95 Firebirds Lot#2).

Jim Hogan is the proud owner of this brand new Navy Blue Trans Am. It was bought on December 2, 1997 at Whelan Pontiac-Buick-GMC Truck. A breakdown of the factory installed equipment is as follows:

Mechanical/Drivetrain

5.7L SFI V8 Engine

4-Speed Auto Transmission

P245/50ZR16 BSW All Weather Tires

Rear Wheel Drive with a Limited Slip Differential

Rear Performance Axle with a 3:23 ratio

Short/Long Arm (SLA) Front Suspension

Monotube DE Carbon Shocks

Dual Outlet Exhuast

Safety/Security Features

Dual Air Bags

4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes

4-Wheel Power Disc Brakes

Pass-Key II Theft Deterrent System

Remote Keyless Entry

Daytime Running Lamps

Content Theft Alarm

Interior

A/C

Delco ETR AM/FM Stereo Radio with CD Player,
Graphic Equalizer & Monsoon 10-Speaker Premium
Sound

Power Windows and Door Locks

Cruise Control

Electric Rear Window Defogger

Steering Wheel Radio Controls

6-Way Power Driver's Seat

Leather Bucket Seats

Exterior

AERO Appearance Package with Fog Lamps

16" Aluminum Wheels with Locks

Uplevel Rear Deck Spoiler

Power Antenna/ Power Mirrors

Removable Hatch Roof (T-Tops)

Jim has already performed a few modifications to the car and more are in store. A K&N Filter has been installed for improved airflow as well as a Borla Dual Cat Back exhaust system. Jim is currently researching the addition of the Suncoast Creations Ram Air hood with a functional box or a custom intake system. Also the addition of a 160 degree thermostat is planned and he'd even like to make the two openings in the nose underneath the running lights functional.

Jim is the webmaster for the site www.FBody.com. He also webmasters his own personal homepage called Jim Hogan's 1998 Trans Am Page. You can click on these link to visit either of them.

This 1998 Red-Orange WS6 convertible Trans Am may possibly be a one of one. The photo was sent to me by Bob Currey. Bob writes:

"They didn't make any. But what is this Vin # 000008 I found in a parking lot. I asked them about it and they said I must have seen the Vortec SC one. But no, it wasn't that one. It was a WS-6 Ram Air Conv't with a Black top and Taupe interior (odd combo, I thought), and marked as such with Pontiac Dealer plates. I went back and it had dissapeared. I did take a bunch of pics when I saw it the 1st time, LOL. They said anything I saw there was ok for people to see..."

Bob Currey

Bob owns his own 1998 Trans Am seen at '98 Firebirds Lot#2.

Mekko Navaro purchased his brand spanking new Blue-Green Chameleon Trans Am in March '98. Since the purchase he's made some cool modifications:

--Factory Stuff-- Monsoon 10 speaker stereo T-tops Dark Pewter Leather Interior Manual 6-speed transmission	--Appearance Mods-- Custom Silver Graphics 17"x9.5" ZR-1 Chrome Wheels Firestone Firehawk SZ50 285/40ZR17 tires White Gauge Faces Suncoast "Raptor" Functional Ram-AirHood w/Heat Extractors
--Mechanical Mods-- Large Panel Suncoast Creations K&N Ram-Air Intake IRS MAF Corvette Fuel Rail Covers Taylor Plug Wires w/NGK Platinum Plugs Random Technology Catalytic Converters SLP Y-pipe Borla Catback exhaust w/Custom Exhaust Tips 125HP N.O.S System Hypertech Power Programmer G2 Front & Rear Swaybars CAGS B&M Ripper Shifter	--Audio System-- Alpine CDA-7940 CD Head Unit Alpine ERE-G190 Subwoofer Processor Alpine MRV-1002 300x2 RMS Amplifier Alpine MRV-F352 60x4 RMS Amplifier 1 Infinity Kappa 6.5" Component System 2 Infinity Kappa 6.5" Two-ways 2 Infinity Kappa 4" Two-ways 10" JL Audio Stealthbox 10W3 Fully Wired with Monster Cable Alpine CDS-614 CD Shuttle

The Trans Am is also optioned with the highly desirable 6-speed manual transmission and now sports a 345hp rating. Mekko recently installed a new turbocharger system, and the car now runs 11.6's.

Dustin Fletcher owns this silver Trans Am. Dustin writes:

"It has all free-mods, homemade free flowing air lid and ram air. Hollow logs (modified stock exhaust manifolds), off-road y-pipe, 3" back to a Dynomax Bullit muffler. Nitrous (85 dry shot right now). It pulled 292 rwhp and 348 ft-lbs torque, at the time of the dyno I had a 3200 Vigilante stall, the stall ate up too much HP. I was no where near impressed with its performance so I reinstalled the factory stall for the time being. My last time at the track (spring 2002) it pulled a 12.2 @ 109 with a 50 shot of NOS. Right now its just a ride back and forth to college and work. Nothing much special."

Thanks,
Dustin

Jamie Medina owns this purely awesome looking Formula. Jaime writes:

"After owning an '87 Trans Am, I finally decided to sell her back in Dec of '00. Of course my new plan was to purchase a newer bird. Because the expense of owning a new bird was a bit too expensive for me, I had to find a good deal. I really wanted the Trans Am, but the budget I had would only allow me to purchase a 93-97 equipped with an LT1. Don't get me wrong, that's a powerful machine, But I really had my mind set on the LS1 and the newer body style. So before I went and jumped on a deal, I decided to look some more. Sure enough my waiting paid off. The vehicle wasn't the TA but was a Formula that had the motor I wanted and it was at the right price so I jumped on it. I purchased the bone stock '98 with 35,000 miles on it in Feb.'01. Since then I have added some mods and I'm extremely happy with it."

Factory Options:	Mods:
5.7 LS1 Aluminum engine	Mac Headers w/Offroad Y pipe
Automatic 4 speed	Borla cat back exhaust
3.23 Rear end gears	Direct Flo Air Lid
Monsoon CD player w/10 speaker system	K&N Air filter
Factory red	Free ram air mod
Graphite cloth interior	Granetelli Motorsports Mass airflow Sensor
NO T-Top	Reflective "Pontiac" emblem on rear bumper

Dyno Runs with MAC headers only:
*301@5300 Rwhp
*315@4300 Rwtq

Track Times 1/4 mile (bone stock):
*13.71@101.03
*2.08 60 ft

Mod Times to follow.....
Email: Jamie Medina

Sport Gold Metallic Trans Am (49701 bytes)

Bob Currey owns this awesome Sport Gold Metallic Trans Am. Bob writes:

"Its customized, but tactful. It was a GM Executive car. I tried to order a Gold/Black Convt., but the color was discontinued on me. Letters, faxes and emails to Pontiac were of no use (I wanted a stick shift, too). I ended up getting a '99 Red/Tan V-6 Convt. with a 5 spd. Six months later the Gold/Black T/A Convt just appeared on a lot near me, by luck I guess and I traded the '99 V-6 for it. Most of the custom parts were off my V-6. I do have pics of it in its original condition as well (Actually, I kept all the parts, too). It won 3rd place at the Rt 66 POCI show for 67-99 modifieds. There were only 17 Sport Gold Metallic T/A Convt's built. The wheels are REAL and modified (by me) Cragar SS/980's in Chrome. They are 17 x 8 up front with 255/45/17 Michelin Pilots and 17 x 9 in back with 285/40/17 Michelin Pilots. The caps are modified '87 or '88 GTA Medallions in Black/Gold. If you look at my V6 site, there is a whole page with a voting booth of the test caps I created in the process of modifying them. The Black/Gold Firebirds won the Vote, and look even better on the Gold/Black Convt. You should see them flash at about 5 mph! Its like having 17" strobe lights mounted down there. :)"

Bob's Trans Am recently won 1st Place for Contemporary Convertible at Chicago's World of Wheels.