What is it that made an 86 Trans Am a WS6? (special performance package)

Like what options came back then (86) and what came special with the ws6?


~Cory

 

WS6 included (in 1986)
86:
12.7:1 quick ratio steering
Gas-pressurized shocks
Special springs and bushings
36mm front swaybar
24mm rear swaybar
4-wheel disc brakes?
Limited slip rear differential
16"x8" Hi-Tech cast aluminum wheels
P24550VR16 Eagle GT 'Gatorback'(subject to availability)
Notes:Have seen 4-wheel discs as being included and not being included, which also includes or excludes limited slip rear differential.

 

In the 3rd gen Firebirds, WS6 refers to the top of the line suspension package. WS6 cars typically have fatter roll bars, stiffer shocks, different rate springs, a faster steering box, and the widest rims and tires available. The earlier ones included rear disc brakes too.

The WS6 was standard on all Formulas and GTA's and optional on Trans AMs.

 

I agree with madmax. doing a bit of research will reveal that WS6 is not a suspension package; never was, never will be. It's a performance package including a few upgrades, one of which is better suspension. It also includes those other items he mentioned. But do you ever hear WS6 being called the "bigger wheels package" the "steering box package" or the "disc brake package" or the "positraction package" ? Nope, so it makes no sense to call it a "suspension package" either. I don't know where this misconception started, but it'll probably never end because it's got so many people convinced.

 

Its a handling package.

Even on the sticker of my 96 WS6, its called "Ram Air Performance and Handling Package". The ram air performance came from the hood and air filter setup. The rest was the handling package.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tta138...ws6sticker.jpg

 

What are you talking about? Of course its a suspension package...or let me rephrase that..a performance handling package. For the first few years of the 3rd gens and last few years of the 2nd gens it included rear disk brakes but other than that, it was all suspension. I have it on my Formula, so I know.

As stated above, the 4th gens call it the WS6 performance and handling package due to the extra performance of the ram-air hood.

 

my car says on the center caps, ws6 performance suspension, even though it was more than just suspsension apparently...

 

It's more like an overall general handling package more so than just a suspension package but damn, it's not worth nitpicking about.....

 

WS6 was more than just suspension. Notice it said "performance & handling package. The RPO code for the suspension for these cars should be FE2. FE2 is part of the "package". Just like JG1 is part of the "1LE package".

 

FE2 is a code later adopted by GM. An 86 wouldnt have that code listed.

 

Hmmm, I'm showing that FE2 was used since 1982, just like the soft base model suspension package, FE1. Both used from '82 to current.

 

The WS6 package is basically a handling package give or take a few options and thats about it. I had an '87 formula (with the WS6 package) and it had an LG4 (read not perforamnce) with an open drum rear. For the 2nd generation and 4th generation birds it might be different but i know for a fact thats what it is for thirdgen birds. On my the centercaps on my '88 GTA it says "WS6 Performance Suspension" if that means anything........