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53-687: The Ford Falcon (EA) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1988 to 1991. It was the first iteration of the fifth generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (EA) —the luxury-oriented version. The result of a A$ 700 million development program, the EA Falcon bore a passing resemblance to the European Ford Scorpio . However under the skin, it remained an entirely Australian design, and

106-443: A goodwill basis. Until the fix, taxi owners would continue to fit reconditioned three-speed M51 automatics to these cars, until the bell housing design was finally changed in later models preventing this practice. The EA carried over significant parts of the prior X series Falcon platform to save costs. Rear suspension on the sedans continued with the coil spring live axle located by upper and lower unequal length trailing arms, and

159-436: A low profile intake manifold lowering the engine height. Three engine choices were initially offered: The base 3.2-litre EFI gave 90 kW (120 hp) at 4000 rpm and 235 N⋅m (173 lb⋅ft) at 3250 rpm. This engine was standard on GL models, although relatively few were sold and many owners of the 3.2 litre found lacklustre torque and the resultant driving behaviour caused increased fuel consumption versus

212-419: A low profile intake manifold to increase outputs to 139 kW (186 hp) at 4250 rpm and 338 N⋅m (249 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm. The option was signified on vehicles by a "3.9 Multipoint" badge on each front fender behind the wheel arch was silver, except on Falcon S where it was red. On Falcon GL models the fitment of 215/65R14 tyres in place of either 185/75R14 (sedan) or 195/75R14 (wagon) tyres

265-656: A new front architecture comprising rack and pinion steering with new front suspension utilising the short and long arm long spindle (SLALS) pseudo double wishbone design. This allowed for longer shocks, optimised ball joint location, improved geometry control, and dramatically improved front end response over the XF Falcon. Standard suspension was fitted to all Falcon and Fairmont models. The Falcon S lowered ride height by 26 mm (1.0 in) and increased spring and shock rates with larger stabiliser bars. An optional Country Pack suspension offered increased ride height compared to

318-463: A relative term, full-size cars were marketed by the same brands offering compact cars, with entry-level cars for buyers seeking the roominess of a luxury car at a lower cost. Into the 1970s, the same vehicles could transport up to six occupants comfortably (or eight in a station wagon), at the expense of high fuel consumption. The sales of full-size vehicles in the United States declined after

371-450: A sample is acquired full-field under operational or excited conditions. The results represent the actual vibrations. No added mass is influencing the measurement, as the sensor is light itself. Techniques used to help identify NVH include part substitution, modal analysis , rig squeak and rattle tests (complete vehicle or component/system tests), lead cladding, acoustic intensity , transfer path analysis, and partial coherence. Most NVH work

424-403: A selection of vehicles based on the S and Fairmont Ghia models. All Brock EA Falcons featured a unique body kit, 16inch wheel package and interior upgrades. The latter used the standard seats bolstered and trimmed in a cloth specific to the model. Brock also improved the power output through a reprofiled camshaft, ECU tuning and modification to the induction and exhaust systems. A suspension upgrade

477-649: A threaded piston applying the handbrake cable forces to the rear disc pads. The EA series was available in four model variants: No commercial vehicle variants of the EA were developed and the existing XF Falcon utility and panel van both continued in production alongside the EA passenger vehicles. Launched in October 1989, the Series II brought with it a four-speed automatic transmission, and could be distinguished via body-coloured, rather than black B-pillars . Despite

530-484: A transverse Watt's linkage . The Watt's linkage had its centre pivot mounted to the differential housing carrying over the roll centre movement compromise from the XE Falcon of 1982. All wagons carried over the leaf spring suspension of prior Falcons, chosen for their performance in fleet applications including load carrying. The biggest change for the EA series was the introduction across all models and body types of

583-506: A turbocharged EA falcon that held the world record for the fastest caravan tow, at 204.4 km (127.0 mi). Kent Youlden won the Australian Production Car Championship in both 1990 and 1991 driving an EA Falcon. Full-size car Full-size car —also known as large car —is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars . It

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636-535: Is credited as the first Falcon model to employ wind tunnel testing. Developed under the codename EA26 ( E for the large size , A for Australia, 26 for the (usually in sequence) global project number), it would retain the traditional Falcon hallmarks of width and rear-wheel drive. This had proven to be a successful strategy during the preceding decade; as the 1979 oil crisis eased, the XE and XF model Falcons had become Australia's top-selling car, overtaking their key rival,

689-406: Is done in the frequency domain, using fast Fourier transforms to convert the time domain signals into the frequency domain. Wavelet analysis, order analysis, statistical energy analysis , and subjective evaluation of signals modified in real time are also used. NVH analysis needs good representative prototypes of the production vehicle for testing. These are needed early in the design process as

742-734: Is the largest size class for cars. In the United Kingdom, this class is referred to as the executive car , while in Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment . The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fuel Economy Regulations for 1977 and Later Model Year (dated July 1996) includes definitions for classes of automobiles. Based on the combined passenger and cargo volume, large cars (full-size cars) are defined as having an interior volume index of more than 120 cu ft (3.4 m ) for sedan models, or 160 cu ft (4.5 m ) for station wagons. From

795-474: Is the noise spectrum of Michael Schumacher 's Ferrari at 16680 rpm, showing the various harmonics. The x- axis is given in terms of multiples of engine speed. The y- axis is logarithmic, and uncalibrated. [REDACTED] Typical instrumentation used to measure NVH include microphones , accelerometers , and force gauges or load cells. Many NVH facilities have semi- anechoic chambers , and rolling road dynamometers . Typically, signals are recorded directly to

848-580: The 1908 Ford Model T . In 1923, General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Superior , becoming the first vehicle to adopt a common chassis (the A-body ) for several brands. Compared to the cars of the 21st century, these vehicles are small in length and width. From the 1920s to the 1950s, most manufacturers produced model lines in a single size, growing in size with each model redesign. While the length and wheelbase varied between model lines, width

901-677: The 1985 model year, General Motors replaced most of its full-size rear-wheel-drive model lines with smaller front-wheel drive sedans on the H and C platforms . Only station wagons, the Chevrolet Caprice , and the Cadillac Brougham remained. Initially developed to replace the Ford LTD Crown Victoria, the 1986 Ford Taurus was produced alongside it as the Ford mid-size model line. After largely abandoning

954-534: The 3.9. Following the introduction of the new full-sized VN Holden Commodore in August 1988, which featured a 125 kW (168 hp) 3.8 litre V6 as the base engine, Ford quietly discontinued the now-uncompetitive 3.2 litre engine by the end of that year. Initially a $ 384 extra cost option on the $ 20,014 base price of the Falcon GL, and standard on Falcon S and Fairmont, the 3.9-litre EFI (commonly referred to as

1007-540: The CFI or TBI engine) gave significantly higher output, with 120 kW (160 hp) of power at 4250rpm and 311 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) of torque at 3250 rpm. It featured the same 91.86 mm bore as the 3.2, but stroke increased from 79 mm to 99.31 mm. It used the same TBI as the 3.2-litre. Standard on Fairmont Ghia and optional across the range was the multi-point injection (commonly referred to as "MPEFI") 3.9-litre. This utilised port injection along with

1060-656: The Chevrolet Impala was returned for the 1994 model year. The 1989 Lexus LS400 luxury sedan was the first Japanese full-size car sold in North America. Following the 1996 model year, GM ended production of large rear-wheel drive sedans. By 2000, with the sole exception of the Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car, full-size cars had abandoned rear-wheel drive and body-on-frame construction. Instead of model lineage,

1113-554: The EA SVO was the most successful aftermarket option. A creation from Australian motor racing driver and engineer Mick Webb, the EA SVO came with ROH 16-inch wheels, Recaro seats, MoMo steering wheels, suspension upgrades including Bilstein Shock Absorbers , engine modifications, spoilers and two tone grey paint work. EA TSS The EA TSS was a series of options from body kit manufacture GP Sportscars. These cars were known for

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1166-798: The EPA "large car" definition of over 120 interior cubic feet was widely used. Initially developed for the midsize Oldsmobile Aurora , the GM G-body chassis was expanded into the full-size segment for Cadillac in 2000 (for the Deville, later the DTS) and adapted by Buick (the Lucerne) in 2006. For the 2005 model year, Chrysler replaced the LH cars with the LX cars (returning to rear-wheel drive). The same year, Ford introduced

1219-702: The Five Hundred, its first front-wheel drive full-size car (the first American full-size car offered with all-wheel drive); in 2008, the Five Hundred was renamed the Taurus. After the 2011 model year, Ford ended production of the Panther platform, shifting to the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS; in 2017, the latter was replaced by the Lincoln Continental . In 2011, General Motors ended production of

1272-559: The G-body for several chassis (with Cadillac later shifting its largest sedans to rear-wheel drive). In 2012, the Tesla Model S became the first fully electric full-size car sold in North America. For the 2013 model year, the Chevrolet Impala became the final American-market full-size sedan sold with a front bench seat . By the mid-2010s, full-size cars began seeing a steep decline in sales in North America, with SUVs replacing much of

1325-570: The Series II models having significantly fewer problems than the Series I, Series II prices are also affected by curtailed resale values. The same problem also affects the NA Fairlane and DA LTD , and even the utility and panel van variants, which continued with the older XF architecture. Released in October 1990 the 30th Anniversary commemorative models were identified by a 30th Anniversary winged badge on each front fender. These vehicles carried

1378-470: The Series II range. The initial four-speed automatics suffered poor reliability with loss of drive common within the first 100,000 km (62,000 mi). Noise, vibration, and harshness expertise later found the issue to be destructive harmonics within the transmission and this was remedied with the transmissions later being highly regarded for reliability when properly maintained. Ford would often meet repair costs for these transmissions post-warranty on

1431-415: The cabin. These are classified as "structure-borne" noise. Others are generated acoustically and propagated by airborne paths. Structure-borne noise is attenuated by isolation, while airborne noise is reduced by absorption or through the use of barrier materials. Vibrations are sensed at the steering wheel, the seat, armrests, or the floor and pedals. Some problems are sensed visually, such as the vibration of

1484-489: The compact Holden Commodore . In addition, Ford's dominance of the taxi market in Australia meant that a car that could comfortably seat three along the back seat—and even the front, with a bench seat installed—was necessary. It also ensured that Ford could retain, at least until Holden released the new Statesman/Caprice in 1990, the market for official cars for governmental use. A centre high-mount stop light (CHMSL)

1537-528: The early 1970s fuel crisis. In response to the 1978 implementation of CAFE , American manufacturers implemented downsizing to improve fuel economy, with full-size vehicles as the first model lines to see major change. While General Motors and Ford would reduce the exterior footprint of their full-size lines to that of their intermediates, AMC withdrew its Ambassador and Matador full-size lines (to concentrate on production of mid-size vehicles). To save production costs, Chrysler repackaged its intermediates using

1590-448: The erstwhile full-size names, moving on to exiting the segment in 1981. During the 1980s, manufacturers further reduced the exterior footprint of several model lines from the full-size segment into the mid-size class to comply with more stringent CAFE standards. With the 1982 model year, Chrysler exited the full-size segment entirely, with the mid-size Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury serving as its largest sedan lines. Following

1643-625: The first time since the late 1970s. For the 1992 model year, Chrysler introduced a new front-wheel drive full-size car line, replacing the Eagle Premier/Dodge Monaco with the Chrysler LH cars (Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, Chrysler Concorde/New Yorker/LHS). The same year, the Buick Roadmaster was introduced, becoming the first rear-wheel drive GM model line adopted outside of Chevrolet and Cadillac since 1985;

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1696-550: The full-size sedan category in the United States were the Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Impala, and Chrysler 300. The large car segment has been declining in the United States accounting for 3.6% of new vehicle sales in 2021, down from 6.6% in 2016. The models in this category included the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima, and Toyota Avalon. They have been discontinued after the 2023 or 2024 model years. The trend in

1749-583: The full-size segment for compact cars and minivans, Chrysler gained reentry into the full-size segment in 1988 with the Eagle Premier (also produced as the Dodge Monaco ). Developed by AMC before its acquisition by Chrysler, the Premier was a version of the front-wheel drive Renault 25 adapted for North America. The Saab 9000 took a special position at the end of the 1980s, as for a long time it

1802-477: The full-size segment. At the end of the decade, demand for sedans (of all sizes) shifted towards vehicles of other layouts, reducing or shuttering production of sedans entirely. In 2018, Ford announced the sales of all Ford-branded passenger cars (except for the Mustang ) would end in North America by 2022. General Motors announced the closure of several manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada, with

1855-428: The hard drive via an analog-to-digital converter . In the past, magnetic or DAT tape recorders were used. The integrity of the signal chain is very important, typically each of the instruments used are fully calibrated in a laboratory once per year, and any given setup is calibrated as a whole once per day. Laser scanning vibrometry is an essential tool for effective NVH optimization. The vibrational characteristics of

1908-431: The idle shaking of the powertrain, a multi-body model can be used. In contrast, when the phenomenon being considered occurs at relatively high frequency – for example, above 1 kHz – a statistical energy analysis (SEA) model may be a better approach. For the mid-frequency band, various methodologies exist, such as vibro-acoustic finite element analysis , and boundary element analysis . The structure can be coupled to

1961-515: The interior cavity and form a fully coupled equation system. Also, other techniques exist that can mix measured data with finite element or boundary element data. There are three principal means of improving NVH: Deciding which of these (or what combination) to use in solving a particular problem is one of the challenges facing the NVH engineer. Specific methods for improving NVH include the use of tuned mass dampers , subframes , balancing , modifying

2014-491: The introduction of the Ford Flathead V8 in the 1930s until the 1980s, most North American full-size cars were powered by V8 engines . However, V6 engines and straight-six engines have also been available on American full-size cars, especially until the 1950s, and have become increasingly common since the downsizing of full-sized cars in the 1980s. The lineage of mass-produced full-size American cars begins with

2067-464: The large car market segment in United States is toward the SUV. Noise, vibration, and harshness Interior NVH deals with noise and vibration experienced by the occupants of the cabin , while exterior NVH is largely concerned with the noise radiated by the vehicle, and includes drive-by noise testing. NVH is mostly engineering, but often objective measurements fail to predict or correlate well with

2120-532: The option of a JDD Twin Tire system and Sprintex supercharger system. GP also manufactured a complete body styling kit, and interior package. As the TSS was a range of options, rather than a specific model, an interested owner could have a complete car optioned up, or just specific options. As a result, some featured either just the supercharged motor, or body kit. EA AVO An Australian turbocharging company, AVO, built up

2173-472: The production of the Chevrolet Impala and Buick LaCrosse ending in 2020. As of 2022, full-size cars from Asian manufacturers include the Lexus LS , Genesis G80 / G90 , Nissan Maxima , and Toyota Avalon . Another car from an Asian manufacturer, the eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata , is classified by the EPA as full-size despite being marketed as a mid-size model. In 2018, the three highest-selling cars in

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2226-475: The rear-view mirror or header rail on open-topped cars. NVH can be tonal such as engine noise, or broadband, such as road noise or wind noise, normally. Some resonant systems respond at characteristic frequencies, but in response to random excitation. Therefore, although they look like tonal problems on any one spectrum, their amplitude varies considerably. Other problems are self-resonant , such as whistles from antennas. Tonal noises often have harmonics . Below

2279-432: The solutions often need substantial modification to the design, forcing in engineering changes which are much less expensive when made early. These early prototypes are very expensive, so there has been great interest in computer aided predictive techniques for NVH. One example is the modeling works for structure borne noise and vibration analysis. When the phenomenon being considered occurs below, for example, 25–30 Hz,

2332-401: The standard suspension and typically came with enhanced underbody protection including a sump guard. Brakes were the same across the range using a hub integrated (i.e. not a hat rotor) front ventilated disc design of 287 mm and single piston callipers sliding on the hub carrier. The rear used solid discs also at 287 mm and the rear callipers carried over the Ford handbrake system using

2385-672: The stiffness or mass of structures, retuning exhausts and intakes , modifying the characteristics of elastomeric isolators, adding sound deadening or absorbing materials, and using active noise control . In some circumstances, substantial changes in vehicle architecture may be the only way to cure some problems cost-effectively. Not-for-profit organizations such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and Vibration Isolation and Seismic Control Manufacturers Association (VISCMA) provide specifications, standards, and requirements that cover

2438-447: The subjective impression on human observers. For example, although the ear's response at moderate noise levels is approximated by A-weighting , two different noises with the same A-weighted level are not necessarily equally disturbing. The field of psychoacoustics is partly concerned with this correlation. In some cases, the NVH engineer is asked to change the sound quality, by adding or subtracting particular harmonics, rather than making

2491-639: The vast majority of the technical updates of the EB Falcon. Production of the EA series had totalled 223,612 vehicles at the time of its replacement by the facelifted Ford Falcon (EB) in 1991. Due to the absence of a V8 engine and high performance model, the EA attracted significant interest from the Australian aftermarket industry hoping to gain Ford's approval for a factory backed model. These included: Brock B8 Australian racing identity Peter Brock formed Austech Automotive Developments to produce

2544-451: The vehicle quieter. Noise, vibration, and harshness for vehicles can be distinguished easily by quantifying the frequency. Vibration is between 0.5 Hz and 50 Hz, noise is between 20 Hz and 5000 Hz, and harshness takes the coupling of noise and vibration. The sources of noise in a vehicle can be classified as: Many problems are generated as either vibration or noise, transmitted via a variety of paths, and then radiated acoustically into

2597-581: Was a relatively constant dimension, as the American federal government required the addition of clearance lights on a width past 80 inches. In 1960, following the introduction of compact cars (such as the Chevrolet Corvair , Ford Falcon and Plymouth Valiant ), the "full-size car" designation came into wider use. In the 1960s, the term was applied to the traditional car lines of lower-price brands, including Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. As

2650-493: Was added late in Series I production as it was mandated by 1 July 1989. The EA series brought heavily updated inline six engines of single overhead camshaft (OHC) design to the Ford Falcon, replacing the long-running pushrod overhead valve (OHV) 3.3 and 4.1 litre units. All engines were now equipped with electronic fuel injection utilising the corporate Ford EEC-IV engine management system, inclined valve alloy heads and

2703-455: Was also linked to the MPEFI option. All 30th Anniversary EA Falcons used a winged Falcon badge in the same fender location regardless of engine option, causing there to be no obvious MPEFI identification. A five-speed BorgWarner T50D fully synchronised manual and BorgWarner M51 three-speed automatic transmission were offered, however the latter was replaced by a four-speed M85LE in

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2756-486: Was also performed, improving handling and ride quality. Advanced Induction Technology ("AIT") One of the premium offerings for the EA Series was the offering of intercooled turbo kits sold through many Ford dealers. The kit used a front mount intercooler fed by extra air vents in the bumper, turbocharger, extra injectors and was signified by a build plate and instrumentation markings. EA SVO With over 1000 built,

2809-425: Was the only imported car to be classified as a "large car" by the EPA. From the 1980s to the 1990s, the market share of full-size cars began to decline; along with the increased use of mid-size cars, vans, and SUVs grew in use as family vehicles. Between 1960 and 1994, the market share of full-size cars declined from 65 to only 8.3 percent. From 1990 until 1992, both GM and Ford redesigned its full-size car lines for

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