1999 Trans Am Ram Air...WHY DOES MY TITLE SAY FORMULA?

[barberjd]

Does anyone have an idea why my title reads PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA? My car is a Trans Am, Ram Air? Wouldn't it state Trans Am? Its an Ohio Title...
2G2FV22G1X.... Vin Number sequence. I left out the last 7 digits. Any help is appreciated.

[justinmc978]

it's OK,

most of our titles do say Formula, as all Trans Ams started life as a Formula.

-take a look at your door rpo sticker, 'WS9' is the Formula conversion Pkg, which means the car has a V8,
-this will be followed by 'Y82' which is the Trans Am merchandise package, effectively making the car a Trans Am, but still carrying the Formula moniker
-if your car had 'W66' INSTEAD of 'Y82' then the car would have the Formula merchandise package and be a Formula.

edit: 'WS9' (the Formula/V8 conversion) has NOTHING, to do with being a WS6 (the Performance Package).

[barberjd]

Much appreciated!!!
Here it is all stock.

[justinmc978]

has it been in a prior accident? the 'Ram Air' sticker looks crooked, if it was installed poorly like that from the factory that would be a very cool quirk.

[MUD55]

mine says ws9 and w55 y82 what is the w55 mean

[SSwt00SS]

mine says ws9 and w55 y82 what is the w55 mean

W55 - Entertainment System Option E


there are stickies that list the RPO codes here:

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...99#post1736499

[9T8W66]

Much appreciated!!!
Here it is all stock.

Aftermarket Hood and 16" wheels tells me it's likely not a real WS6.

Anyway Justin's answer is correct, and all I'll add to it is that the Vin does not distinguish between Formula and Trans Am. and all DMV/insurance paperwork is based off the Vin. This is why your title reads Formula or Formula/Trans am.

[justinmc978]

Aftermarket Hood and 16" wheels tells me it's likely not a real WS6.

Anyway Justin's answer is correct, and all I'll add to it is that the Vin does not distinguish between Formula and Trans Am. and all DMV/insurance paperwork is based off the Vin. This is why your title reads Formula or Formula/Trans am.

good eye, I see how the hood is smooth all the way down instead of having the grooves where the scoop baffles fit

[666ws6]

16" wheels were a dead give away, not a true WS6. But looks just like one. Hopefully it wasn't sold under the guise of a true WS6 instead of a conversion.

[barberjd]

I actually purchased it from it from a local car repair shop. They refuse to repair the any car that is deemed salvage. The insurance company salvaged it. Here are some pics of it wrecked. Hard to believe they salvaged it. I drove it home...

[Schmalgar]

Yeah hard to believe that was a salvage. Was there frame damage? Certainly doesn't look bad. Hopefully that means you got a low price for a car that was in relatively good shape.

Either way, it looks sharp now! And now you know it is, indeed, a Trans Am...

[barberjd]

No frame damage. Some of the front inner structure was bent and I had it cut out and new parts replaced. Overall its a nice car. The only problem I'm having is the TCS wants to automatically turn itself off...?

[Schmalgar]

The only problem I'm having is the TCS wants to automatically turn itself off...?

How do you mean? Forgive me if this is obvious and you know it already, but keep in mind that the button is 'reverse' indicator, it tells you when TCS is off, not on. So the button light is OFF, it means that traction control is ON. You push the button and it turns ON to indicate that traction control is OFF. So if you're thinking that when you crank it up and that light is off that the TCS is off, nope, it's on by default...

[barberjd]

Okay I just took it for a spin to make sure I know what I'm talking about. If I drive it for a few miles without me doing anything the light turns off and on my dash display "TCS OFF" and "ABS INOP" lights come on. What could that mean? Any help or suggestions is appreciated. Josh

[SSwt00SS]

could be that your wheel speed sensors are shot or on their way out. they are discontinued.

take it to a service center and see if you can get it scanner for free. just tell them you want to know if the wheel sensors are shot. they have a diagnostic to test for it, and it will tell you which one or ones are bad.

when i had my '98, the front passenger side was bad. i took it (sensor wire) off and took it into the chevy parts service. we found a connector head and i spliced them together. cost like $20.

[SnIpEr]

Wish I could help with the light problem but that TA is gorgeous! Cleaned up very nice I have to say!

[fbodyNATION]

Much appreciated!!!
Here it is all stock.

not to switch topics but,im not really a blue type of guy but i love that color looks awesome man

[fbodyNATION]

Ws6 or not its still clean

[024mula]

I thought all Trans Ams have 17" tires? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[pajeff02]

I think the '01 and '02 models came equipped with 17" wheels and that prior model years were 16". Could be wrong on this...