If there is one thing that is certain, the third-gen Camaro does not get the respect it deserves. Sure, it was built during a time in history where performance was apparently rated by those with a penchant for…well…anything except performance. But once you get past the stigma that the car undeservedly carries, it’s easy to see why it can make a great hot rod. Just ask Jeremy Redfox of Perrysburg, Ohio.

“When I was a child, my older brother had a yellow ‘86 IROC with T-tops and a five-speed,” says Jeremy. “He bought it brand new and I was heartbroken when he sold it. When I found this yellow IROC with a five-speed, I bought it sight unseen. I have wanted this car since I was 12 years old.”

Even though this was already the car of Jeremy’s dreams, he also knew there were a few things he wanted to update. “After I got the car home, I sent it off to have it repainted.” Quips Jeremy. “While it was getting painted, I said to my wife, ‘I think I’m going to do an LS swap.’ She said, ‘why wouldn’t you?’ That was all I needed to hear.”

With the odometer only showing 54,000 miles when Jeremy found the car, the interior is still in great shape.

To complete the modern driveline transformation, Jeremy decided to install a Chevrolet Performance crate LS. “The engine is Chevrolet’s LS376/480,” says Jeremy. “I added a Holley Performance accessory drive as well as Hooker Blackheart headers and exhaust. I had Moser Engineering build me a 12-bolt rearend, and I replaced the entire front and rear suspension with parts from UMI Performance.”

One of the latest aftermarket products available to enthusiasts is the new TREMEC TKX five-speed transmission. The new TKX has been on the market for just a short time, and many enthusiasts are overjoyed with the products. “Mike Kidd at TREMEC is a friend of mine and knew I was building this car, so he asked me if I would like to try out a prototype transmission,” Jeremy says. “I installed it with an LS7 clutch with a Tilton throw-out bearing and clutch master cylinder.”

Although the third-gen Camaro is pre-LS-available, it looks right at home under the hood.

Jeremy is a true third-gen enthusiast and tells us he built this car in his two-car garage nestled in a subdivision. He also states he has very little automotive background and was glad to get some help from friends in the evenings and on weekends. “I worked on it in the early afternoons until late at night, and every weekend,” he says. “As for future upgrade plans, I think I’m going to have custom gauges made for it.

Do you want to read about more Home-Built Heroes? All you need to do is click here. If you own a Home-Built Hero, we want to hear about it. Since we’ve started the series, we have received more than a few candidates, but we still want to see more – we can never get enough. If you want to see more cars built by you the readers, send us a few pictures of your car showing the engine, interior, and exterior, along with all of the pertinent information, and we’ll make you Internet famous. You can send your submissions to [email protected].