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Ride of the Month - August 2007

Ryan (Snowboardr18) 2001 Firebird Transam WS6

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Owner: Ryan VanGilder
Age: 18
Ride: 2001 Firebird Trans Am WS6
Location: Mt. Airy, MD

Engine | Suspension | Exterior | Interior | I.C.E. | Pictures | Interview

Engine/Performance:
5.7L V8 LS1
Manual 6-Speed
Hurst Shifter
Skip Shift Eliminator
3.43 Gears
P1SC-1 Procharger
9 PSI Pulley
Twin Intercoolers
K&N Filter
MAC Mids Headers
Flowmaster Exhaust
Dual Magnaflow Catalytic Converters
Ford Green Top 42 lb. Fuel Injectors
Mobile 1 Full Synthetic Engine Oil
Fram Oil Filter
NGR TR55 Spark Plugs
Autolite Spark Plug Wires
Autometer Sport Comp Boost/Vac Gauge
Autometer Sport Comp Oil Pressure Gauge
Autometer Sport Comp Oil Temperature Gauge
Autometer Sport Comp Air/Fuel Wideband Gauge
93 Octane

Suspension & Wheels:
18’’ Chrome Alloy Technologies Wheels
Toyo Proxes FZ4
SLP Strut Tower Brace

Exterior:

T-Tops
Removed Side Molding
 

Interior:

35% Black Window Tint
Black Leather Lumbar Seats
Autometer Triple Gauge Pod Pillar
Vent Removed for Boost Gauge

I.C.E.:

Escort Passport 8500 X50 Radar Detector
2-10’’ Bazooka Subwoofer Tubes
Clarion ProAudio APA1200 200W 4Ohm Amp

Pictures:

Interview:

MDSS: How did hear about MDSS?
Snowboardr18: Can’t remember. I think I may have heard about it from Chris(ctrlraven).

MDSS: When and why did you purchase the ride you have?
Snowboardr18: Early 2007. I was going to supercharge my 2003 Grand Am GT but decided I should start with something that has more potential for drag racing.

MDSS: What kind of condition was it in?
Snowboardr18: It seemed in good condition until I got it home when I started having problems. I’ve been fixing stuff ever since.

MDSS: Daily, Weekend, show, or race car?
Snowboardr18: Was a daily driver for the summer but now that I’m in college, it’s a weekend/race car.

MDSS: What modification on your vehicle to you like the most?
Snowboardr18: Procharger when the belt is not slipping.

MDSS: What is the most expensive part on your car?
Snowboardr18: Must be the Procharger.

MDSS: What was the last modification you installed on your ride?
Snowboardr18: Haven’t been modding lately, just fixing. Gaskets, seals, cats, and a smaller supercharger belt.

MDSS: What has given you the most headache working on your car? (Part, experience, shop)
Snowboardr18: As one thing gets fixed, another problem appears.

MDSS: How much of the work have you gotten your hands dirty with versus outsourcing to a shop?
Snowboardr18: Anything I can do myself I will. If I feel I can do it on my own I will give it a shot. Everything I know is from taking risks and trying to do stuff myself.

MDSS: Are there any future plans for this ride?
Snowboardr18: Many future plans but no funds for those plans. Eventually this will be only a weekend/drag car. I should have new wider rims and tires in the next month. I will also have boost and fuel pressure gauges. Next will be a Moser 9 in. rear and driveshaft. Then more power but that will be a long time.

MDSS: How long have you been working on this ride?
Snowboardr18: Since I bought it in early 2007.

MDSS: Are you into the show or race scene? Or both?
Snowboardr18: I care about looks and like showing off my car at local shows and meets but I am always performance over looks.

MDSS: Do have any sponsors?
Snowboardr18: Not yet. Hope to get some at some point.

MDSS: Are you a part of a local car crew?
Snowboardr18: I don’t stay with one crew. I hang out with car groups everywhere, especially muscle groups. You can find me hangin out with other muscle cars in Frederick on weekend nights during the summer.

Shout outs: My friend Brendan for taking all the pics of my car. Jason for keeping a well run site that I use very often even though I’m no longer in MD (until summer). Jess for organizing an awesome meet this year where I met everyone. Everyone that has put up with my dumb questions and helped me fix problems when I have no experience with what I’m working on.

Engine | Suspension | Exterior | Interior | I.C.E. | Pictures | Interview

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