Manufacturer Ford Australia Production March 1988 – July 1991 | Also called Ford Fairmont (EA) Class Full-size | |
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Body style 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon Related | ||
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 this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (EA)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.
Contents
Development
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 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 proved to be the correct move as sales of the Falcon began to climb after the fuel crisis aftermath, while those of the rival Holden Commodore slipped. It became clear that Australian buying patterns had not truly changed and what the public wanted was a full-size (albeit smaller) family car.
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.
While initially popular, the EA's build quality was uncompetitive with uneven panel shutlines, computer problems, poor paint quality and front suspension alignment problems.
A centre high-mount stop light (CHMSL) was added late in Series I production as it was mandated by 1 July 1989.
Engines and transmissions
The EA series brought new engines to the Ford Falcon along with across the board fuel injection, overhead camshaft cylinder head, inclined valve alloy heads and a low profile intake manifold lowering the engine height. The capacity was decreased from the previous XF which was 4.1 litres and an overhead valve (OHV) design. All EA series engines utilised the corporate Ford EEC-IV engine management system.
Engine choice initially comprised three straight-six units starting with the base 3.2-litre EFI which utilised a throttle body injection (TBI) or central fuel injection (CFI) induction to give 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 very few were sold and many owners of the 3.2-litre found lacklustre torque and the resultant driving behaviour caused increased fuel consumption versus the 3.9. Ford discontinued the engine circa December 1988.
Initially an extra cost option on the Falcon GL, and standard on Falcon S and Fairmont, the 3.9-litre EFI (commonly referred to as the CFI or TBI engine) increased stroke from 79 mm to 99.31 mm while bore remained at 91.86 mm. The engine used the same TBI as the 3.2-litre and power was rated at 120 kW (160 hp) at 4250rpm and torque 311 N·m (229 lb·ft) at 3250 rpm. This engine would also be discontinued at the end of the EB Series 1.
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 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 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 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 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.
Suspension and chassis
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 a transverse watts linkage. The watts linkage had its centre pivot mounted to the differential housing carrying over the roll centre movement compromise from the XE Falcon of 1982. Falcons would be compromised by this roll centre nervousness until the discontinuation of the live axle with the BA Falcon.
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 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 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 a threaded piston applying the handbrake cable forces to the rear disc pads.
Model range
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.
Series II
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 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 the vast majority of the technical updates of the EB Falcon.
Production and replacement
Production of the EA series had totalled 223,612 vehicles at the time of its replacement by the facelifted Ford Falcon (EB) in 1991.
Aftermarket performance models
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 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 re-profiled camshaft, ECU tuning and modification to the induction and exhaust systems. A suspension upgrade 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, 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 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
And Australian turbocharging company, AVO, built up a turbocharged EA falcon that held the world record for the fastest caravan tow, at 204.4 km (127.0 mi).
Motorsport
Kent Youlden won the Australian Production Car Championship in both 1990 and 1991 driving an EA Falcon.