Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Information => Trans Am Information => Topic started by: 78trans1 on November 29, 2006, 04:56:03 PM

Title: Risers?
Post by: 78trans1 on November 29, 2006, 04:56:03 PM
I'm trying to figure out if i own a ws6 or w72. I've read a post on the

subject, so i now know how to tell. I'm being told to compare the

thickness  of the risers to the rear sway bar. What are risers?

Also, what does the code L78 signify?
Title: Risers?
Post by: Gold78Spc on November 29, 2006, 05:11:11 PM
I'm not sure what they are talking about when they say risers. If they are talking about the bars that connect the swaybar to the frame they are the same on ws6 and non ws6 cars.  The thickness of the sway bar can be a good indicator but sway bars can be changed.  The build sheet is the best way to verify if it is or isn't a ws6

L78 I think is the code for the "standard" 400 Pontiac engine (the lower horsepower one). I could be wrong and if I am someone will most definitely correct me
Title: Risers?
Post by: ta78w72 on November 29, 2006, 10:50:58 PM
You don't measure the risers, you measure the bar.  A ws6 will have a 3/4 inch bar.  You can also look at the sticker on the inside of the drivers door.  If the sticker indicates a tire size of p225/70r15...then it's a ws6 car.  You should also have 15X8 snowflake rims.

You have a W72 if you have a factory 4 speed and the 400 engine.  The W72 had chrome valve covers (versus the blue ones for a standard 400).  But, you should check John W's paper on the W72 engine for what numbers are on the heads.  A link for his paper is on this site.
Title: Risers?
Post by: 78trans1 on November 30, 2006, 02:26:28 PM
The post that i read said that all risers were 5/8". if the sway bar was

thicher than the risers just by looking at it (without measuring), then it

has to be the 3/4". which means ws6. I just looked at mine yesterday and

I do own a ws6 car. The 15x8 snowflakes are also there. I have a 403

automatic. The sticker inside the door is always too hard to read. Can

anyone else input on this?

THANKS.
Title: Risers?
Post by: ta78w72 on November 30, 2006, 04:36:13 PM
78trans1, be careful.  My T/A has a 3/4 inch rear anti sway bar and 15X8 snowflakes and it's not a WS6 car.  I added those features.  They're really easy to add.

Are your snowflakes painted gold, including the edges?  If so, you've got the 1978 WS6 snowflakes.  If the edges are unpainted...you've got post 78 snowflakes.  Gold78Spc has the correct snowflakes for his car.

Best way to tell whether you've got the WS6 suspension or not is to locate your build sheet.  

By the way, all 403's were automatics.
Title: Risers?
Post by: 78trans1 on November 30, 2006, 05:35:55 PM
I was trying to save those 35 bucks (PHS), but i guess i will have to order

it. Though it has been stated here that it's a rip-off. Seems as though we

as a collective whole could influence/force PHS to better the package

quality. What do you guys think? Hitman?
Title: Risers?
Post by: ta78w72 on November 30, 2006, 06:50:58 PM
Not to turn this into a WS6 thread but....

I used to think the WS6 steering box had 2.5 turns lock to lock....wrong.  It has 3 just like the non WS6 box.

I used to think the WS6 steering box had its own part number....if it does, I can't figure it out.

But, if you don't have the build sheet and don't want to pay for the PHS documents.....pull the cover off your steering gear.  If the three teeth are the same size, you've got the constant ratio WS6 steering box and probably a WS6 car.  If the middle tooth is wider than the ones on either side, you've got a variable ratio box which isn't a WS6 box.

Still it doesn't mean you've got the WS6 factory option...but with the wheels, the steering box and the rear anti sway bar....I'd bet it's WS6.
Title: Risers?
Post by: Eagle 1 on December 01, 2006, 01:22:37 PM
Quote from: "78trans1"
I was trying to save those 35 bucks (PHS), but i guess i will have to order

it. Though it has been stated here that it's a rip-off. Seems as though we

as a collective whole could influence/force PHS to better the package

quality. What do you guys think? Hitman?


When ta78w72 said to locate your build sheet, he was talking about the one in your car.  If you can find it, then it wont cost you a dime.
There are several threads on here about locating the build sheet and where to look.
Good luck.
Title: Risers?
Post by: 78trans1 on December 01, 2006, 03:08:17 PM
The build sheet on my car was on the fuel tank. I took that off a long

 time ago. the build sheet was too old, brittle, and dirty to be legible.
Title: Risers?
Post by: 78trans1 on December 03, 2006, 02:59:55 AM
Ok my door decal saids 225-70r-15 is that ws6?
Title: Risers?
Post by: Gold78Spc on December 03, 2006, 05:06:54 AM
according to this earlier post, yes

Quote from: "ta78w72"
You don't measure the risers, you measure the bar.  A ws6 will have a 3/4 inch bar.  You can also look at the sticker on the inside of the drivers door.  If the sticker indicates a tire size of p225/70r15...then it's a ws6 car.  You should also have 15X8 snowflake rims.
Title: Risers?
Post by: 78trans1 on December 03, 2006, 01:51:51 PM
ok sorry i thought i saw that somewhere.