Ripped a couple pics off the internet somewhere, this would be left front from below:

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=291&stc=1&d=1200240827


And I found this text, thread number one this section, offsite link to Car Advice dot com:

The Holden VE Commodore’s front suspension is a MacPherson strut-based multi-link system with direct acting stabiliser bar. It features a forward mounted steering rack and dual lower links with individual ball joints at the outer end. A hydraulically damped bush is used on the forward end of the tension link for improved ride isolation. The lateral link features a rubber spherical joint to provide lateral stiffness for precise handling. It has negative scrub radius, short spindle length, high castor and short mechanical trail.

Somebody somewhere mentioned a front Chapman strut, though I wiki doubt: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapman_strut .

So I marked up the drawing with the text:

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=292&stc=1&d=1200240827

Which I think is:

blue = steering
tan = anti roll or "sway" bar with endlink
green = tension link
white = lateral link


So basically a 04/05/06 GTO with A) the steering rack where it belongs, B) the aft end of the radius rod moved onto the knuckle C) a fluid filled bush in the wrong spot and D) some better geometry...

Photo credit olly, t=640.

Front views, same color code, but front right corner this time:

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=293&stc=1&d=1200242315

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=294&stc=1&d=1200242315

And just to beat the dead horse all the way into the ground so there is never ever ever any miscommunication about which bit is which...

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=295&stc=1&d=1200281525

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=296&stc=1&d=1200281525

Edited because someone wanted to change the rules in the middle of the game. :p

I'm not sure which part you are talking about with C.

The fluid filled bush, per the carAdvice dot com quote, is at the front end of the tension link (old radius rod) so at the front end of the piece marked up green.

I think we got all of this worked out.

By all means post up a pic or two from under a GTO, I think that is a good idea.

Waiter, I'd like to order the crow. Cooked medium well. Bring lots of barbecue sauce. :D

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=308&stc=1&d=1200444159

In defense of the placement of the steering rack, at least these cars aren't FWD. You can still gain easy access to the racks & other components if you do alignment or parts replacements.

And here are two versions of the US spec VY/VZ Commodore (USA 04/05/06 GTO) provided by sccaGTO:

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=311&stc=1&d=1200457756

LF corner:

brown = sway bar
white = lower control arm
green = front radius rod
blue = steering
yellow= bottom of MacStrut, don't remember why

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=312&stc=1&d=1200457756-

Two items.

I recently saw some pics of a 2004 VY/VZ in England, labeled a Vauxhall (?sp) getting a major bad @55 engine build. The 2004 VY in the USA got American football (UK rugby) shaped rear springs. The rear springs on the Vauxhall (at least I misspelled it the same way both times) were cylindrical. We won't know what is coming off the boat until it comes off the boat.

Springs. You guys wanting to tow are _probably_ better served getting aftermarket springs that will fit your car, compared to ordering Holden VE springs from OZ and hoping they fit. I am confident Nolowhatever and Pedders and Whiteline all have reps camping in Benicia, CA right now. (Note alphabetical listing of major Ozzie aftermarket players - if I think something sucks I will speak up)

EDIT: Yeah, pretty wordy for being the guy wth one eye on the pocket watch and one hand on the throttle all the time. Can you now see how the pivot point for the front suspension moved outboard, how the suspension track on the G8 is going to feel wider than the track on the GTO?

Here are the US Spec VY/VZ (GTO) and what we think is the US spec VE (G8):


GTO/VY-Z:
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=313&stc=1&d=1200461426


G8/VE:
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=314&stc=1&d=1200461426

Can you kinda see how the G8 is going to feel more sure footed than the GTO, all other things being equal? Just from the feeling of the wider front track? I think my next PON salesman is at high risk for fecal incontinence.

0's and X's anyone?

I'm not an engineer by any means, but at first glance,it looks weak. I'm so used to seeing beefier stamped upper and lower a-arm suspensions on my car's and truck. Do they use this same setup on the V8 Supercars ? I've seen a couple of relatively mild fender rubs in these races that resulted in broken lower suspensions.

I am not an artist, don't pretend to be one on the internet. I promise to delete post 10 as soon as something better is posted. In the meantime I am very excited to drive a VE at the earliest chance I get.

@Dan, post 12, I know of one highly modified VY-Z (USA GTO) that pulled 0.96g on factory lower control arm, factory radius rod and factory knuckle. I suspect there are several others that can match that mark. After meeting a curb I would rather my insurance adjster see "broken" control arm rather than "maybe bent maybe repairable".

[
@Dan, post 12, I know of one highly modified VT (USA GTO) that pulled 0.96g on factory lower control arm, factory radius rod and factory knuckle. I suspect there are several others that can match that mark. After meeting a curb I would rather my insurance adjster see "broken" control arm rather than "maybe bent maybe repairable".[/QUOTE]
Like I said, I'm not a suspension engineer. As far as bent or broken goes, I would agree with you.

0's and X's anyone?

Maybe just one game. :gr_jest:

http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=320&stc=1&d=1200721146