Why Funco?

[EastMT]

Why does a Funco “dune better”? How exactly does it dune better than similiar powered cars/rails?  Is it the air bag shocks and or anything particular about a Funco that make them dune better? What price range are the lowest priced used Funco’s that are still in the “dune better” category? If any of this has been covered before please post the link and I’ll gladly delete this post. Thanks. 

 

[Bobalos]

Great question. What about the geometry and the suspension design makes them dune so well??  

 

[1newbie]

A lot of it is in the compression rate of the airbag IMO.  A standard coil compresses at a set rate per inch whereas an airbag compresses exponentially.  The gen 3/gen4 cars can be bought for $35k-45k although that may be skewed a bit since they are still selling at covid price levels.

 

[Grease Monkey]

Power to weight with air bag setup is IMO the reason.  In the subi cars anywhere in the 350-450 HP is perfect. In the early gen4/5 v8 cars 400-550 HP.  In the late model gen5/6 500-800 HP is all you need. 

When these horsepowers get pushed or engine swaps go from 4 cyl to v8 is when the balance is changed and the cars just don't dune as well as they used too. 

Wheel base and vehicle weight are important as well as front to rear weight percentage.  I also feel the ride height has a lot to do with it. Funcos are relatively low and don't have all that travel other cars have.  Just don't need it to dune.  Kinda why you won't see a Funco advertised as a dual sport. 

 

[SANDBAM]

Power to weight with air bag setup is IMO the reason.  In the subi cars anywhere in the 350-450 HP is perfect. In the early gen4/5 v8 cars 400-550 HP.  In the late model gen5/6 500-800 HP is all you need. 

When these horsepowers get pushed or engine swaps go from 4 cyl to v8 is when the balance is changed and the cars just don't dune as well as they used too. 

Wheel base and vehicle weight are important as well as front to rear weight percentage.  I also feel the ride height has a lot to do with it. Funcos are relatively low and don't have all that travel other cars have.  Just don't need it to dune.  Kinda why you won't see a Funco advertised as a dual sport. 

agree with all Erik wrote

also , low center of gravity - especially in the earlier cars - and heavier items are located low in chassis (refer to John Rykowski's Outfront car/build thread)

airbags = accurate and refined driving experience

built as a complete thought, from front to back, bottom to top

 

[Dockmaster]

So I gotta ask, if the airbags are what make them so special, why doesn't any one else build that type of suspension? Did Funco patent it or something? I've been wondering about this for awhile now so when I saw this thread it looked like a good place to ask. 

And secondly, if Funco is the bees knees (not suggesting they are not) how do some other builders like Buckshot command what looks like even higher prices than Funco? Is this simply a matter of to each his own or one size doesn't fit all?

 

[1newbie]

There are positives and negatives to the airbags.  Other builders (thinking Alumicraft and SCU) make their cars handle well and the coil springs are more versatile (sand and desert).

At some point (after motor/tranny) a lot of the cost of a new rail is the fancy extras.  Seems that a lot of the top builders are charging $250k+ now if you want motec electronics, albins, suede interior, etc.  If you price out an Albins, TT RHS motor, big shocks and custom paint you are creeping on $150k for those items alone.

 

[Poule43]

Alumicraft and SCU do just as well / Funco dunes great also........... All 3 are great cars and there are plenty others.

Well set up shocks

Power to weight ratio

Driving Ability 

Are just a few other factors involved.

My favorite duners are the scu mid bro with a honda OR V8

Funco Gen 3 and Gen 4s with subi powered motors absolutely RIP the dunes

Several different Alumicrafts

Everyone is different / Chevy vs Ford type thing......I like the SCU and Alumicrafts the best But would get a Funco too....

oule:

 

[onanysunday]

Fuel tank under the rear seat for lower center of gravity. Look at the seating position compared to some of the other cars. Driver and front passenger weight are further forward with more weight on the front tires. Keeps them planted and turns well when duning. That is why they are not whoop monsters like some other cars. Also virtually all Funcos run the Dune Sport rear tires with square vs rounded profile. Lets the car stay flat when drifting and sliding. 17 years since I built mine and it is the best single piece of equipment I have ever owned. Support from Funco has always been stellar. They still build cars and will always treat you right. Subi cars are the cats meow if you can afford to maintain that light powerplant with low center of gravity. (Older cars). All the new stuff has gotten so much bigger and heavier with more power. Of course most people don't have the budget for the new cars. Guessing my car is 2450 lbs which is heavy for a Gen 4. 

 

[Poule43]

Funco also offers their owners a lot of support...they have great customer service / updated parts and are a long time gd sponsor

SOLID outfit for sure. Their cars have good resale when you wanna upgrade to that new G52 / F9

I wish there were more Buggy mfgs like Funco still around that support the dunes! When CARB extorted the mfgs and the market went over to SXS, a lot in the buggy world was lost

Its Great they are still ROCKING IT after all these years

oule:

 

[Grease Monkey]

agree with all Erik wrote

also , low center of gravity - especially in the earlier cars - and heavier items are located low in chassis (refer to John Rykowski's Outfront car/build thread)

airbags = accurate and refined driving experience

built as a complete thought, from front to back, bottom to top

Low center of gravity is what I wanted to say as well.  Probably one of the biggest points to mention. 

 

[EastMT]

Power to weight with air bag setup is IMO the reason.  In the subi cars anywhere in the 350-450 HP is perfect. In the early gen4/5 v8 cars 400-550 HP.  In the late model gen5/6 500-800 HP is all you need. 

When these horsepowers get pushed or engine swaps go from 4 cyl to v8 is when the balance is changed and the cars just don't dune as well as they used too. 

Wheel base and vehicle weight are important as well as front to rear weight percentage.  I also feel the ride height has a lot to do with it. Funcos are relatively low and don't have all that travel other cars have.  Just don't need it to dune.  Kinda why you won't see a Funco advertised as a dual sport. 

Thanks for the explanation. I have been watching the 2 seaters only because I have no need for 4 seats. Does the longer wheelbase of the Funco blow away the ride of other manufacture 2 seaters?

 

[EastMT]

agree with all Erik wrote

also , low center of gravity - especially in the earlier cars - and heavier items are located low in chassis (refer to John Rykowski's Outfront car/build thread)

airbags = accurate and refined driving experience

built as a complete thought, from front to back, bottom to top

Appreciate it! I’ll try and find that build thread.

 

[EastMT]

Alumicraft and SCU do just as well / Funco dunes great also........... All 3 are great cars and there are plenty others.

Well set up shocks

Power to weight ratio

Driving Ability 

Are just a few other factors involved.

My favorite duners are the scu mid bro with a honda OR V8

Funco Gen 3 and Gen 4s with subi powered motors absolutely RIP the dunes

Several different Alumicrafts

Everyone is different / Chevy vs Ford type thing......I like the SCU and Alumicrafts the best But would get a Funco too....

oule:

Thanks for the comparisons, thats very useful info for a guy thats shopping.

 

[EastMT]

Fuel tank under the rear seat for lower center of gravity. Look at the seating position compared to some of the other cars. Driver and front passenger weight are further forward with more weight on the front tires. Keeps them planted and turns well when duning. That is why they are not whoop monsters like some other cars. Also virtually all Funcos run the Dune Sport rear tires with square vs rounded profile. Lets the car stay flat when drifting and sliding. 17 years since I built mine and it is the best single piece of equipment I have ever owned. Support from Funco has always been stellar. They still build cars and will always treat you right. Subi cars are the cats meow if you can afford to maintain that light powerplant with low center of gravity. (Older cars). All the new stuff has gotten so much bigger and heavier with more power. Of course most people don't have the budget for the new cars. Guessing my car is 2450 lbs which is heavy for a Gen 4. 

View attachment 53661

Thanks for the info. Thats a nice looking car. I’m definitely in that no budget for six figure new cars category.

 

[EastMT]

Is the 35-45K for a gen 3 pre covid  or highly inflated covid pricing? What is an outstanding deal ‘that won’t last long’ on a gen 3 with the subaru engine? 

 

[Grease Monkey]

If I was in the market for a Funco, I'd try and get a gen 4 car.  Gen 4 upgrades to newer suspension and shocks are easier and less invasive.  Gen 3 is limited to front bags with shocks. No bypasses. If you want to upgrade a gen 3, it gets complicated and I believe cutting and welding is needed.

 

[Poule43]

If I was in the market for a Funco, I'd try and get a gen 4 car.  Gen 4 upgrades to newer suspension and shocks are easier and less invasive.  Gen 3 is limited to front bags with shocks. No bypasses. If you want to upgrade a gen 3, it gets complicated and I believe cutting and welding is needed.

AGREED 100% .....With the budget you posted, THIS is the ticket. The gen 4 is a GREAT CAR!!!!!  

Find a G4 and run it for the rest of the season THEN......... make it a 2 seater G52 Style 2 seater with the radius roof ! 

You will LOVE it!

my 2Cents .......well......YEAH......what @Grease Monkey said :lol:

oule:

 

[Poule43]

Another HOME RUN option if you can wait is to contact @Blacktop .......... He can't hold onto a car for more that 2-3 trips these past few years / He builds an AWESOME car with every detail downn to the nats AZZ

Here is his build from this past week / Contact him  / save a bit more $$$$$$ and tell him you want first crack at it when he sells it. A cold :cheers:  says @Blacktop will NOT be able to Dune it / then not sell it to fund ANOTHER Funco to build....within 3 trips...Some guys love to dune / Some guys Love the build.....This Guy (Justin) LOVES  both!!!!!! I am telling you, when this G4 conversion is done,  and if you end up getting it, GAme Over!!!  You will have EXACTLY what you are looking for!