Sedan vs wagon dynamics

Biggoggs · 31-08-2005, 02:56 AM

Hey guys, I've been trying to decide how the wagons perform dynamically in comparison to their sedan counterparts. Despite being 20cm longer, 45cm higher, and have ~22cm longer wheelbase, they're only 90kg heavier, the same as having a chunky passenger. Psychologically, a wagon would feel much bigger and heavier as a sedan is more an enclosed space, and the rear leaf wouldn't be as independant as a coil, but aside from that I can't see any major differences in performance.

I don't see how they're apparently 40cm thinner in width though. According to the stats I'm going on, it has the same interior room (although more front & back headroom), must be something with the bodywork.

aquahead2001 · 31-08-2005, 08:23 AM

I think you should look at the stats that this site has, the figures your quoting are miles out. There's never been more that 100mm difference between the sedan and wagon's wheelbase, the height is only a few cm apart.

Having owned an EF sedan and wagon at the same time I can say that the wagon was sloppy compared to the sedan. It was all over the place at the rear. But now owning an AUII fairmont wagon with the tickford suspension and 17" wheels and driving AU Wagons and Sedans in back to back track comparisons I'd say that the wagon was at least as good as the watt's link rear of most AU sedans. I'm not comparing the Independant Rear End's on the AU XR's, Ghia (and the BA's) as I've only ever driven one of those many years ago.

neb · 31-08-2005, 10:17 AM

I don't think they handle as good at the sedans do. But i've got superlow springs and gt gas shockers in mine riding on 16inch rims with good tyres and i'm really happy with how it handles. I can fly into corners without worry... !

Just the next thing I want to do suspension wise is get a camber kit in it since my camber can't be adjusted enough. And also upgrading sway bars.. I've got an svo 28mm swaybar to go in the front... and I think I might buy a rear one from whiteline.

outback_ute · 31-08-2005, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggoggs

I don't see how they're apparently 40cm thinner in width though. According to the stats I'm going on, it has the same interior room (although more front & back headroom), must be something with the bodywork.

Width and height figures for the wagon are reversed, width is the same and height is 84mm higher

RUQ1KA · 31-08-2005, 04:58 PM

my wagon compared to my ghia is miles away, the back flies around like nothing and it handles like a boat around corners, where as the ghia (on ef springs) is much more ighter around corners and tends to rock less

niko · 31-08-2005, 05:02 PM

stock suspension sux regardless, it is a super comfy ride, i must admit, but u feel like your goign to tip over 1st corner, even going at reasonable speeds.

my sedans lowered has good shox and superlows, handles supurbly

ive also noticed, wenever i have driven behind neb, that theres noticable amounts of body roll, but it still nice compared to stoko's

**Captain Stubing** · 31-08-2005, 09:48 PM

The suspension on the Falcon wagon has always been second place (at least) to the sedan version, the BA is a lot tighter. The EA's to EL always seemed to have that body roll, you just had to take corners a bit slower!

Aftermarket alterations could only make the world of difference on a wagon!

MRJUCY · 31-08-2005, 10:35 PM

A wagon by design has less torsional stiffness which would effect handling even if they did have the same suspension layout they'd also have a higher center of gravity over the rear

Biggoggs · 01-09-2005, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback_ute

Just the next thing I want to do suspension wise is get a camber kit in it since my camber can't be adjusted enough. And also upgrading sway bars.. I've got an svo 28mm swaybar to go in the front... and I think I might buy a rear one from whiteline.

I don't seem to get a huge amount of sway on mine- it's lower and harder than stock but still on the stock S-pack 15's (contemplating 16s, but the snowflakes look good, until I have to clean them). Instead of more camber, couldn't you use the sway bars and stiffen it, perhaps add some bigger wheels?

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquahead2001

Width and height figures for the wagon are reversed, width is the same and height is 84mm higher

Ah, thanks for pointing that out. I guess the few cm of extra headroom at the back has to go somewhere. While on the same topic, it seems the wagons have 5 1/2cm more rear headroom than their Fairlane counterparts

Quote:

Originally Posted by swanny

The suspension on the Falcon wagon has always been second place (at least) to the sedan version, the BA is a lot tighter. The EA's to EL always seemed to have that body roll, you just had to take corners a bit slower!

I guess you have to make some sacrifices for utility, but I wouldn't think it was a great deal. My EA wgn corners better than my ol man's EF2 fmt wgn, but his cruises smoother. Would it be possible a wagon with better suspension would out-corner a sedan with stock suspension?

neb · 01-09-2005, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggoggs

Would it be possible a wagon with better suspension would out-corner a sedan with stock suspension?

Yeah I'm sure my wagon handles better than a sedan with stock suspension. It does have a bit of body roll but nothing major, I'm thinking a rear swaybar will help heaps with the body roll I want to get one in pretty soon.