Quote:
Originally Posted by Sprintey
Dr Terry, do you have any info on how the mechanicals/models changed over VT to VZ? I think the major rear suspension fix was VXII as stated above.
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The list of developments from the 1st VT to the last VZ, including the Statesman, Caprice, Ute, Monaro & HSV models could fill a book, but suffice to say that they saw steady 'improvements' spread over all 4 model series, in similar fashion to XR to XY or EA to EL for example.
Some changes were the result of long-term planned designs, others were 'fixes'
like the rear suspension upgrade for VXII. Others like VZ were used to introduce new engines & transmissions for use in the next generation.
These Commodores were the result of a good mix of the German Omega & lessons learnt from Aussie upgrades to earlier Commodores. Having engines like the 3.8 V6 Ecotec, the old Holden 5.0 & 5.7 V8s, plus the LS1 V8 as power plants was a bonus.
The rear suspension was one of those 'lessons learnt'. Many believe that the rear tyre wear was caused by too much negative camber, this is not correct. This same design used on the German Opel saw no such wear, but the big difference was that our versions were heavier & far more powerful. A typical Opel Omega had a 2.0 or 3.0 N/A engine, where our base engine was 3.8 N/A with 3.8 S/C, 5.0 & 5.7 options. The cause of the tyre wear was the rear wheels 'toeing-in' when accelerating. The VXII 'toe-link' reduced this considerably.
Dr Terry