Second-Gen LS3 Camaro Made Indestructible by UMI Performance
The 2nd gen Camaro has long lived in the shadow of its predecessor, but this one certainly won't lose many straight-up track battles.
Underrated Gem
To us, the second-gen Camaro is a bit underrated. Especially in comparison to its predecessor, a car celebrated by everyone as one of the greatest muscle cars of all time. Granted, the 2nd gen suffered the same fate as all '70s muscle - it got slower as the years went on, thanks to an oil crisis and smog laws. Thus, Ryan Kirkwood owner of UMI Performance, set to right those wrongs with this beautiful build recently features at Hot Rod.
Photos: Hot Rod
Don't Believe the Hype
Trans Am racing was a big part of the first-gen Camaro's DNA, and it was quite successful in that regard. That success didn't carry on with the redesigned model, despite GM's best efforts. Thus, Kirkwood set out to build a car that lived up to its original potential, and we'd say he succeeded in a big way.
Photos: Hot Rod
Bad Realization
Kirkwood originally bought the car, which was already restored, to use as a test bed. But at first, it was only used for minor things like shock and spring testing. And when UMI began to really tear into the car, they quickly found out that it was in need of more work than they originally thought.
Photos: Hot Rod
Total Replacement
The floorboards were completely rotted away, along with the rear quarters and subframe. So the team replaced all of that before getting serious with the drivetrain. The next step was to develop a brand new LS swap kit for the 2nd gen Camaro using this car as a mule.
Photos: Hot Rod
Strong Base
With that completed, UMI built a new LS3 for the car using a Texas Speed 418ci short block as the base. To that, they added 10.5:1 compression Wiseco pistons, AFR Mongoose heads, and a Comp hydraulic roller cam. Controlling the new setup is a Holley Performance HP ECU.
Photos: Hot Rod
Tough Combo
The idea for the build was to make it virtually indestructible. That's why UMI went with an aggressive 8.5-inch Quarter Master RR Race clutch stuffed in a built Stage 2 T56 Magnum transmission. It might not be the best combo for the street, but it won't be requiring a replacement any time soon.
Photos: Hot Rod
Serious Suspension
Since UMI was building this Camaro to be a corner carver, they needed a serious suspension setup to accomplish that goal. And they found it with a complete Corner Max kit. The new kit includes newly designed a-arms, taller upper ball joints, and a front sub-frame brace, along with stock spindles.
Photos: Hot Rod
Extra Goodies
To that strong base, UMI added an extended coil-over brace and 7-inch tuned Penske 8300-canister shocks. UMI’s Hyperco 3-inch lowering springs and 3-inch lowering leaf springs with laser-cut shackles and Delrin bushings round out the impressive package.
Photos: Hot Rod
Strong and Lightweight
Out back, the Camaro utilizes a custom-fabricated, laser-cut watts link. It centers a Currie Enterprise ultra-lightweight Turn 9 Pro-Touring floater, while the rear axle features an Eaton Truertrac limited-slip differential with 3:50:1 gears and 31-spline axles.
Photos: Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this LS3 Classic Camaro right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
Promises Kept
It didn't take long for UMI's 2nd gen to prove its worth. Right off the bat, the car took home a Gran Touring Vintage class win at the Optima Drive AutoX event. It also saw action at Daytona International Speedway for the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge. All of which gives us hope that UMI can finally deliver on the promises GM gave us all those years ago.
Photos: Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this LS3 Classic Camaro right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
For help with service and maintenance on your car, check out the how-to section of LS1Tech.com.