nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

hey my assistant store manager has purchased a like new 2002 black firehawk.... i will admit that it looks really good but he says that he can beat my trans am GTA and wants to race my car..... i was wondering if i race him who would win in the quarter mile and from 0 to 80... if i do loose would i loose badly....... here are the mods


2002 firehawk
stock ls1 engine with 24,000 miles
ram air
ls6 intake
3.42 rear end
slp loudmouth
hooker headers
t56 transmisson


1988 trans am gta
5.7 350 factory l98 engine with 115,000 miles
l98 heads fully rebuilt less than 100 miles ago
Cranes 2032 cam 452/465 214/220 112lsa
Cranes matching springs
Cranes Adjustable fuel regulator set at 50
Flowmasters 80’s series 3 inch catback
2 Catco High Flow converters
Custom 3 inch built Y-pipe
Hedman Longtube Street headers
fully Ported and Siamesed SLP runners
fully Ported and Siamesed Plenum
Ported Edelbrock High flow Intake
SLP cold air intake
SLP airfoil
IAT relocated to SLP air box
EGR delete
Air/smog delete
LT1 Starter
Heavy duty flywheel
Accel super coil
Performance radiator
3.70 rear end
Pro built 700r4 able to handle 600 horsepower
Transgo shift kit
Tranny cooler
2300 stall converter
High flow water Pump

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

If you can run faster than 13.20 @ 108 in the quarter mile, you'll beat him.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

I hate to say it but the Firehawk is probably going to win. Ive seen those things run 12.9's stock. With his mods he could hit somewhere in the 12.4-12.5 range.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Better run from a dig, I think the LS1 car is gonna present a challenge when the revs get up higher, but you should be a good race from a stop. Got good tires? Good combo, I think aftermarket TPI setup or a carb would run faster.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

my tires are brand new... just got them last week.... the are 245/50/16 htr + tires..... wow... all this work done to my car and i will still loose....

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Installing a pair of good flowing cylinder heads is mandatory to see some really nice gains.
Bill

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Exactly - you're only as good as your weakest breath point, stock L98 heads are hurting an other wise good breathing combo. And I would agree that the LS1 car could touch mid 12's with his setup and good driving - he has bolt-ons that should play very nicely together. A tune would take him even further.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

I think you may be able to pull him out of the hole, but after an 1/8 of a mile he is going to pull on you. LS1 is a beast sorry.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

well what kinda heads should i get that will work well with my combo.... something thats not too expensive. are there any good budget head for my setup...

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Most people on this board would probably suggest Vortec heads for budget, but AFR's are worth the price of admission! Good heads would make all of your other mods shine. BTW, your combo is very similar to mine, 'cept for the heads.
Bill

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

how much better are afr's compared to vortec.... should i see a noticeable difference with either heads compared to stock....

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Also you may want to consider a computer tune to take a full advantage of your mods.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Almost anything, I believe, is better than stock L98 heads. Good tuning for the combo goes without saying (gotta have it!).
Bill

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

well i was just down to the bare block not too long ago... i wanted to get better heads but the good ones were over a grand which is way out of my budget right now..... so instead i just got my stockers rebuilt.....

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

There's nothing wrong with that, we all have budget constraints. Gives you something to look forward to:)

Bill

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

ill think ill go with the gta on this one

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Not a chance that you'll beat him, as long as you run stock heads you will never be able to touch an LS6 intake with long tubes. I hate to break the bad news to ya......but he's gonna eat you for lunch.

Once he hits the higher rpm's.....he's gone. :)

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

would i be able to beat him with a set of vortec heads.....

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

the easyest way to put him down would be a 150 shot of nitro. works every time:nod: But with vortec heads, I dont think you will get him. ls1 have a power curve that looks simler to a dinning room table. flat! our sbcs dont usualy make that kind of curve with topend kits. so your going to have to go a little above what he makes for power to make up for the lack of power elsewere. let us know what happens

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

yea a set of trick flows 195...or like said above a 100to150 shot would proli help a big amout

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Maybe. To flat out beat him you need to be running a low 12. Id say 12.2's. The thing that is killing you is that TPI intake. You can beat him in a short race, but once his car hits high rpms in third he is going to real you in and pass you. A better race would be vs a bone stock ws6 trans am. Those bolt on Firehawks are too much for your car imo.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

well within a year or so im planning on stroking my l98 350 to a 383 l98 with afr heads a little bigger cam but stll keeping my high flow tpi... that for sure should beat him

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Yeah theres no point in ditching the TPI at this point now that you have money into it. Maybe you should think about a pro charger?

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

If he can drive worth anything you're toast. He only has long tubes and exhaust for mods but he's still in the 12's

I don't see you dipping into the 12's with some gears and a cam.

However that's why you guys race. :) If he screws up on his shifts anything is possible.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Bone stock 02 WS6 6 speed will run in the 12's as well.
I drove my buddy's 02 WS6 in late 2005 down the track 4 times (I had never driven the car before so I had to get used to the clutch and how to launch the car) and hit a 13.12@109mph before they closed the track due to it being too cold :crazy: . 55* isn't too cold.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

As mentioned before, the race will be close from a dig but as soon as the two cars get going, you will soon be left behind. Votec heads will improve your combo but the stock TPI set-up is the next weak link in your combo. In fact, it is a greater weak link than the stock 083 heads. On stock L98 combo's, aftermarket TPI intakes and runners such as the Edelbrock unit and Holley's stealth ram claim 30+ hp with nothing else chagned. His car is making near 400/390 at the crank bone stock. You are lucky if you are in the 310/400range.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

nothing is stock about my tpi unit except for the throttlebody.....its a total aftermarket setup.... i have fully ported and siamesed SLP high flow runners, ported Edelbrock high flow intake, fully ported and siamesed plenum that accepts 58mm throttle body by corvette plenum and its all port matched.... i also have a slp cold air intake with the special metal in the two MAF boots and the slp airbox itself and a slp airfoil... i guess everyone is thinking that i have a stock tpi....

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

If you want to get some heads, check these out, the 197's with the 64cc chambers are the ones I purchased from JEGS. Probably along with my long tubes that was the best mod that I ever did to this car since I've owned it, and it got me the most power. You'll love these heads and the power that you get from them, they're pretty equivalent to the AFR's but cheaper.

http://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS/750801/10002/-1/10187

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

I think you will do well out of the hole with the 'vertor and gears and maybe even win 0-80. However, the longer the race, the more that Firehawk is going to pull. He is probably 330+rwhp and the LSx pulls hard in the upper RPMs. That Firehawk is totally capable of 12.7ish 110ish in the right hands...

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

well he is gonna race me next weekend..... what should my horsepower numbers be.....

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

You have 260-275hp and probably run 13.8-14.3.

Those ls1 motors are 370hp and with his mods he probably has 390hp. Do you really think a 245hp motor with some intake upgrades, small cam, and a full exhaust is going to be anywhere near 390hp??? If you're lucky you might see 275hp and be able to run with a bone stock automatic lt1.

Same weight + better gearing + 115hp = Seriously sore *** hole :lmao:

That firehawk is going to annihilate you... You better get a NOS kit, some slicks, and pray he has a bad launch.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

I would think the TA might have a low/mid 13 second pass in it with a good hook. I don't think that would be enough to take the Firehawk for more than an 1/8th mile, I bet the LS1 car would run 6-9mph faster at the trap in the quarter.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Guys I have an 02 WS6 and with his mods he is still a high 12 second car. If it was a stalled auto it would be mid 12's. I have QTP headers and a LS6 intake with a full corsa exhaust and I'm hoping to break into the 12's with the 6-speed (bitch launching without spinning). I say if you can run low 13's and trap about 107 it's a drivers race. Don't know too much about the TPI thirdgen motors so not sure what your at with your mods. Most of those 12 second runs are on Mickey Thompson drag radials so if he is on street tires he better know how to drive. Run him from a dig where your auto has a major advantage. With his mods he will be looking at 350 RWHP aprox. All that is really done to it is an exhaust since LS6 came on it, he has the truck LS1 cam that is smaller too. Ram air doesn't count for **** until at way high speeds and then it is minimal, and he might break his rear if he is on DR's. Good luck.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

I used to have a 2001 ss 6spd. I would run 13.3 @ 107 and it was 100% bone stock. My friend had an 89 iroc with a 350 it had a chip, catback exhaust, stall, and some other minor mods. He ran 14.6 that same day. My money is on the firehawk.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

If this helps I raced an 02 WS6 last year. I had about a car on him until about 70, then it seemed like I just let off the gas. By 100 he had 2 cars on me. I was running 13.5 at the time and put down 245 rwh so around 290-305 at the engine I would guess..

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Did you race him yet? I am curious to know how the race turned out, even if you didn't win.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

actually yes ive beaten him from 0 to 80 but not by much..... i had him from the stop.....its was good till 60 when he started catching up to me pretty quickly.... i didnt know those things were so powerful.... but yeah i can beat him in a short race..... but if its past 90 i will give him a smile and thumbs up..... sorry ive forgotten this post....

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Indeed they are, I was surprised how much quicker my stock daily driven '98 LS1 suddenly reacted with just a 4000 stall, SLP lid and tune when I first purchased her.... ;)

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Not bad. You should consider a computer tune when you have the opportunity. This way you can take full advantage of your mods. Then race him again. You may not beat him, but I bet you will run quite closer to him.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

The driver mod is a big factor in LS1 cars. Ive seen a 2000 Z28 A4 with a Vigilante 3600, full exhaust, LS6 intake + lid, and a tune run CONSISTENT 11.6s on a MT DR. My GN cant even run with that....

I know nothing about the TPI motors, but I know they can breath past about 5000rpm; even ported. I think some better heads, a HSR; and a better cam will be your new best friends here soon.

Oh, and some Mickey DRs as well.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

11.6 on exhaust, intake, tune, converter, and DRs? I find this difficult to believe. I like to see those time slips, you'd need a heck of a launch to go 11.6 with bolt ons. Low 12's I would be believe. Mid 11's, I dunno.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

DOH! Homer Simpson moment. Car also has a "baby" 224 cam, which I completely forgot about. Been a while since Ive seen it. He has some mild suspension work and will normally cut mid 1.6 60' times.

Car runs good for a cam only car.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Nice - start talking cam and suspension, 1.6 60' time and 11's sound much more reasonable. Cam changes everything, all those other mods are golden then.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

To run Vortec heads on a TPI, you hafta get a Vortec specific intake. Vortecs have a unique intake & there is only 1 place to get a TPI Vortec base. Scoggin-Dickey.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

So I was exactly right...cool! :)

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

just hope he doesn't put a cam in it....

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

Only mod listed on the Firehawk is the exhaust. The 01s and 02s got the LS6 intake. My friend had the LS6 intake, a larger ram air hood, exhaust and a dyno tune and got like 345whp and the dyno. So too the guy who said it has 390, he is a bit off. Before the dyno tune my friend had like 320whp with exhaust, intake, and the LS6 manifold.

I think if your car is running good, it will be a close race. If the Firehawk cant launch good you should definitely take him.

Oh just saw he has a cam. Now he could be very close too 400whp with the cam. You will 80-90% lose. All depends on how good he can launch.

Re: nearly stock 2002 firehawk vs.. built 88 trans am gta
 

No way 390RWHP...I ran a 13.18 stock, down to the paper filter in my 2000 NON-LS6 intake car. That was on street tires. I dyno'd 301.28hp to the wheels. By contrast my best friend 2002 WS6 with a 4L60E had QTP LT's, SLP LM, SLP Lid w/K&N filter and dyno'd 347hp(forgot the TQ #'s)and ran a 12.54@117.32mph@SAR back in 06. So the Firehawk has my buddies mods(Hawks are known to not be as fast through the 1/4)so I would say he can hit at least a 12.7-12.8 in it's current trim. LT's really wake up LS1's. LS1's lack bottom end, I know I hate mine, but torque is peaking at 4000RPM's, so midrange rolls are a no no for a lot of challengers. I love my TPI'd IROC, but with my mods and my much wanted BOOST for her, I can't say I will ever beat my T/A unless I keep it as is now. Good luck, hope you do well. I wish I had a damn GTA, I would give my left one! LoL
P.S.Go with a First Injection setup if you want to keep the stock TPI looks but improve on it a bit.