Hey Guy's

Recently got myself a CEN Fun-Factor ATX Buggy and though I would share a few early thoughts on this Buggy. Been running to for 2 days so far.

Overall is looks like a pretty good Buddy, Nice, simple layout with easy to get to sections. Engine was a bit of an arse to start but eventually got it running and started the running in process. Followed the instruction booklet to letter and ran a quart of 20% through it. Problems so far that I have encountered.

Busted the rear Toe rod mount on the diff.
Busted the throttle servo.
Busted the Front steering eye thing on the hub.

It seems that these bits could do with a little more beefing up because that look very flimsy especially when you take into account the fact that they are on a Nitro car. I have seen stronger parts on some Electric buggies. I have made temp. fix's for these but have had to order new parts but have no idea when they will arrive. Overall performance is starting to get very good. I have limited space at the moment to open it up but so far have been impressed with the speed and acceleration of the Buggy. Also with reference to the above, I still can't figure out why the throttle servo packed up but the internal gears have definitely gone AWOL. [:@]

In future it would be cool if the steering mechanism was beefed up and some of the 'Play' in the steering could be adjusted out now with this in mind I am aware that because of the very nature of the buggy I am not going to get HPI touring car style steering response but I think that this field could be improved upon.

So far, out of 100 I would give this bugger 85, the fact that parts have snapped for no real reason reflects in this score. Once the parts are replaced I will report back on how things have progressed if anyone would be interested.

This post is to try and help anyone that may be thinking of getting one of these, it's not to slate the ATX cos as budget Nitro's go it's bloody good but like almost anything else it has it's weak points.

Anyways I will stop babbling and leave you lot alone

Regards

Chris

The FF is brand new and you alread broke those parts? weird. I have a buggy and an mt2 and i have only broken plastic steering parts when i run it in below 0 temps. The throttle servo does suck on the FF's stock. I think i stripped the top gear on mine in the first week i had it. Best replacement seems to be the hitec hs 645mg. Also using rc10gt servo mounts to lay the steering servo down against the chassis helped too. Personally i didn't care much for teh stock brakes either, not sure if you ahve had better luck than me. But the upgraded alloy brake seat and metal brake disc allow me to do stoppies, or even flip my ff's over forewards lol. to tighten up some steering slop add some 10 x 15 x 4 bearings inside the wheel hub ALONG with the stock bearings. They will fit snugly over the drive shaft ends. Also when i got my buggy, the little threaded hex plugs that go vore the balls in the steering hubs were really loose from. I put a bit of grease in there and tightened them up and it helped a lot too.
The fun factors are nice for the price
hope you enjoy.

hey I had the FF rally one with the GX1 parts on it and I have already broke the hole front end off still looking for some more front axles and the Front bevel gear shaft for both sides but the sad thing is I think that i mite have wasted my money on this one cus I can't seem to find anythiung that I have broke on my GX1 that is under $40 so this is where I ask everyone for help heres the parts numbers thanks

FFs023-$59.99
FFs004-$35.69 heres I question I would like to ask and I hole that I am right about the anwser will GX1 parts fit on the Fun Factor they sure do look like they would now with that beening sad here
GXs11-23.99

i think the gx1 shafts are going to be too short to fit the FF. i know that cen tr4 shafts are too short, if that helps...?

ive read 2 or 3 people have had issues with the one way diff - they seem to break very easily, maybe worth a look if u have the cash, but i wouldnt do it if u just bash ur truck and dont race. seems like a lot of money for a one way bearing in a casing too!

rubber O rings or a tiny slice of fuel line in the diff cups does wonders for the life of the shafts by helping prevent them binding in the cups - worth a try if u didnt already.

as for finding the best prices - just type "cen ffs004" into google and see what u can find. personally i use ebay a lot for my FF bits, cos cen spares are overpriced, frankly.

I have had mine about 9 months and have gone thru a vast array of suspension and steering parts. Outside of those broken due to abuse, I have only had one part fail prematurely. The reciever went nuts one day causing a run away which did $50 in damage. With a fail safe installed, all has been well since until recently.

I purchased the CEN purple head for the warmer months and installed it. It runs FANTASTIC for about a tank of fuel, and then on the second tank, it runs awfully. It appears to develop a leak after the engine warms around the mount. I get a significant increase in speed with the new head and want to keep running it, but its getting a tad annoying having to reseat it and tighten after each run. Any suggestions/

PS I have made sure the issue wasnt heat, the new head appears to be running at temp as a drop or two of water on the head doesnt evaporate for about three seconds.

Any help would be appreciated.

One other note, the above mentioned abuse was well worth it, this truck is tons of fun to drive, especially on rougher terrain.

Lets all be honest the cen FF range is cheap compared to other similar spec products but still offers the same performance, so something has to be lacking somewhere (fact of life im affraid that you get what you pay for).

In my opinion there are a few parts on the stock FF that are lacking:

1) Steering servo. I dont know anybody who hasnt replaced it "after only a few weeks"
2) Diff cups - Cen has sorted this now with the "beefed up" replacement parts from another model
3) Spurs - Cen now has the option of replacement steel spurs (when they eventually reach the UK).
4) Brake - The replacement brake with rubber shoes is dangerously effective and the aluminium brake seat stops chassis flex just a bit expensive

The only other thing I think the FF really is lacking is some form of roll cage to stiffen the chassis and give me more peace of mind. Apart from that it is great to drive and if it didnt cost me money i would enjoy replacing the parts as well.

As for getting parts I think there is a bit of a catch 22 situation here for Cen. Most LHS near me (or the ones I nip into on the off chance that they have the part I need in a hurry) dont sell Cen cars so they wont stock the spares and have to order them. They wont sell the cars because they find people complain about how long it takes to get the spares.

However Chris (its nice to know there is someone else from Wisbech) there is a company called Inwood models (www.inwoodmodels.co.uk) in Huntindon who do stock a few of the more common FF parts and they take orders over the phone (dont know which shop you use).

Well thats my opinion ranted out again.

Well here are my thoughts. I bought my Cen ATX on Febuary 28th of this year. The day I got it and started to fill the tank for the break in process the fuel tank had a huge leak right out of the box. I called Cen and they sent me a new one in about 4 days. Then I started it up and idled it for about 5 tanks, then started to drive it at about a quarter throttle and noticed it kept trying to go in a circle. So I check to see what it maybe. Guess what it didn't have the rear right dogbone shaft. So I think you can imagine how pissed I was at this point. Right out of the box with a cracked fuel tank and a missing dogbone. Called Cen they sent me one. So now i have had the car for two weeks now and still not been able to play with the damn thing. Well finally I am ready to play with this thing. I have enjoyed it since except for the fact that there are way too many weak points on soem parts and no upgrades to make them better, other then making home mods yourself.

I just bought the Alum. brake seat, spendy but way worth it

Cen has finally made some CNC Steel Spur Gears but they cost too damn much and they have not upgraded the pinion gears to go with it other wise you are just going to shred the hell out of the pinion gears.

The Heavy duty Toe-in bar- I am sorry but these things are not heavy duty I have busted 4 of them in 2 months running on the beach or baseball field

The gear boxs are ok but need improvement, I have busted 2, one was my fault, hit a real car at full speed, But not too worried cause BootMachine and Dr.Honda are on the move too make some alum. ones

The stock servos are crappy already had the throttle & steering servos replaced both locked up

I have an FF for about a year, havnt used is much over the winter, but three months of abusive farmyard, and I have only lost one diff cup, (due to running a shaft bent right at the end, by me - unbalanced) and a rear hub, due to a smash I had.
I think they ship with better radio systems here, as mine is fine. Mine also shipped with steel pinons (on the clutch). Do they ship with plastic ones elsewhere? Also, the plastic spurs are being eaten a bit by stones etc, but a are fine for the moment.
The brass bushings become playful - I think ball bearings would be better here.

Ive had my Cen stuff for a couple of months And I,ve had similar problems. The fuel tank leaked. Last night The diff cup broke in half. I think The weak point is the 2 piece chassis and the 2 speed tranny. My engine runs fine. I have the aluminum shock upgrade,break disc's,and break seat. Also full ball bearings are a must. LOCKTITE EVERYTHING. The plastic pieces are fairly soft and i think could use some beefing up. It sounds likeCEN will stand behind there products But you have to spend another $100.00 dollars or so just to bash in the back yard. This is my biggest problem I have. 1 The radio system is Ok the servo's are not up to the task of running the truck.
2 The break system has to be upgraded 3 Steering is poor 4 Every board Ive read has post's with gears stripping. 5 No ball bearings?? come on I know they are trying to save costs but bearing should be standard.I got my stuff second hand VERY cheap boy am I glad. If i'm going to drop $400.00 or $500. Just to play in my back yard I'm going with Associated, Losi, or Traxxas. Finally Every upgrade in the world will not make this vehical race worthy. I think it has potential and it is fun, hence the name Fun Factor. I would like it to be more tough. And see the upgrade parts standard. Ive been getting parts from these guy's on ebay I like them.

stores.ebay.com/RCBoyz_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm