Chevrolet Camaros were introduced in 1967 and stayed at the forefront of performance for decades. There was a first, second, and third generation of Camaro that increased performance in the F-body platform and set the bar for the fourth generation of Camaros.

The fourth generation of Camaros debuted in 1993 and lasted all the way until 2002, when the Camaro line was shut down by Chevrolet. These Camaros brought about a modern look for the Camaro, and introduced the LS series of motors into a platform other than Corvette. These later model Camaros got their own unique look, which resembles a catfish to many. However, after an eight year hiatus the Camaro was started up again with a completely new design.

This Camaro loves to race!

The popularity of fifth generation Camaros have put a bit of a shadow on the fourth generation Camaros, but that doesn’t mean these F-bodies can’t stand their ground. Even today they remain a great platform and can be had for relatively cheap. The SS you see sitting here is owned by Jerry Mondock, from Philipsburg, PA. Mondock is really familiar with the fourth generation F-body platform, as this is actually his third, fourth gen. “The combination of simplicity and LS power makes them a great bang for the buck,” said Mondock.

Powering Up

Speaking of LS power, this LS1 really pumps out the power. Mondock added a Comp Cam, FAST 90 intake manifold, Nick Williams throttle body, Granatelli induction, and SLP mass airflow sensor. On the flip side he installed a set of Jet Hot coated headers that connect exhaust notes to a complete Borla exhaust. We’ve seen this car in action and can tell you this car flat hauls the mail. But just to make sure he can beat whatever is thrown at him, Mondock added a 150 shot of nitrous from Nitrous Express. A little go-juice never hurt anybody.

A little bit of spray for good measure.

Turn Baby, Turn!

This isn’t a show car!

The one area that this car really excels at is the suspension. You see, Jerry works for UMI Performance, a suspension manufacture located in PA. His car has been their test bed and track car for years. If you work for a suspension company, you bet that your car will have the full set up on it and is expected to perform. They have used this car for measuring, manufacturing, and beating up on the track. Up front it has UMI Performance’s boxed lower arms and poly non-adjustable upper arms. A set of dual adjustable Viking Performance coil overs rounds out the front. The rear has UMI Performance’s Roto-Joint lower arms, torque-arm, and a coilover kit with Viking Performance double adjustable dampening.

“It’s fun to cut, measure, test, design, and engineer new parts for this car. I get to see our hard work come to reality, then drive it home,” Mondock told us.

A stock interior, for now.

To complete the full suspension package, UMI Performance also put on their 35MM front sway bar and 25MM rear bar, which is set up for road racing and autocross applications. The last key to the puzzle was a set of UMI Performance subframe connectors, which tuck up nicely under the F-body. The rearend has a set of 3.73 gears thanks to to Motive gears, complete with an Auburn road race differential and Moser cover.

Once the car handled like they wanted it, they needed it to stop like they wanted. They once again reached for Jerry’s car and made up a set of caliper mounting brackets to use C5 calipers and rotors, complete with a set of Hawk pads. To round out the entire suspension and brake package, a set of 295/35-R18 BF Goodrich Rival’s keep the car glued to the road.

The Proof Is In The Pudding

This complete package made for some impressive results. At the Ohio Muscle Car Challenge, we saw the guys from UMI Performance putting this car to its limits on a road course and autocross course. While Jerry wasn’t there to pilot his fourth gen, the rest of the boys from UMI were. We saw them pushing the car all weekend, where they were hitting triple digit speeds on the road course and sliding it around the autocross course. This is definitely a track rat, and they aren’t afraid to use it.

All the work and seat time has really started to pay off for Jerry as well. The car has received numerous top five finishes at GoodGuys Columbus along with the Syracruse Nationals autocross. They hope to take this car to the podium one day, and we are sure that they will.

Owner: Jerry Mondock

Location: Philipsburg, PA

Car: 1999 Camaro SS

Builder: Owner, UMI Performance

Motor: LS1, Comp Cams, FAST Intake, Nick Williams Throttle Body, Granatelli Induction, SLP MAF, Jet Hot coated headers, Nitrous Express 150 shot, Borla exhaust

Transmission: Six-Speed

Front Suspension: UMI Performance boxed lower, Poly non-adjustable uppers, Viking Performance coil0vers, UMI 35mm front sway bar

Rear Suspension: UMI Performance Roto-Joint lower arms, torque arm, coilover kit with Viking coil overs, UMI 22mm rear bar

Brakes: UMI Performance C5 brackets and calipers, C5 Rotors with Hawk pads

Tires: 295/35-18 BF Goodrich Rival

Paint: Stock with graphics from Jason Unch at Full Throttle Signs

Interior: Hidden nitrous switch, the rest is stock for now.

As UMI Performance continues to develop and refine, this Camaro will follow suite. Jerry and the UMI crew have plans for better parts on this Camaro, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

The backend of this car is one that many Mustangs are use to seeing.