Nortran11

Anyone still running this car?

I got offered one for 150. I am currently running a TT02 Type S in a summer parking lot series, if I pick this up it will be used as a carpet car in the winter.

thoughts, suggestions, etc?

Qatmix

It is a really good car. Especially for that price. You will notice a huge difference in the way it handles. Spares are easy to get for the components that do break (arms etc).

sosidge

I'm still running mine.

It is certainly a step up from a TT-02.

Not everyone got along with the car at first, but I can't really fault mine now. Upgrading to the TRF419 rear diff has probably made the biggest improvement for me.

Although TRF is no more, the parts you are likely to break are still available and probably will be for some time as they are used on other Tamiya cars. I haven't actually broken anything myself except for driveshaft blades.

If it is a competitive price, I think you will be happy.

Nortran11

Nice. Thanks guys. If I am not mistaken....the TA07 Pro uses the same a-arms? So getting those parts should be pretty easy to get ahold of

Qatmix

Yep the TA07 uses all the 418 parts for its suspension. It is softer plastic but the hard plastic ones are still available as well as a hop up.

76jimmy

iTrader: (28)

Been using my trf418 for about a month now at an outdoor asphalt track. I'm using the setup in the manual and I like the way the car handles. I've been able to get better and better lap times with it and I feel like now I should start tuning the car now that I've been able to be fairly consistent with my laps. For those of you that have converted your 418's to short shocks do you feel it was worth it. It looks like it will cost me around $90 to do the conversion is it worth the investment or should I just wait for another Trf version to come around that has the updates included?

BD1541

Definitely worth doing so as the difference in CG of the short shocks is just too drastic of a difference in quick chicanes. I have 2 of these cars and by running the Samix v2 chassis conversion, fibrelyte short shock towers ( you can now buy trf 49x ones to fit if you want everything tamiya ) x ray short shocks with pss not to mention the trf 419 diff and recent bronze diff cover and spool upgrades. To make things better I have even converted it to run an x ray t4 front end conversion and this is the 2nd biggest improvement on the car since the samix v2 chassis upgrade. More precise steering and virtually zero slack ala x ray plastics race after race.
The car has the ability to compete with current touring models in club level races with lap times just as quick. Best thing is the above doesn't change the drive feeling of a TRF car if you guys know what I mean.

76jimmy

iTrader: (28)

Thanks for the input. I bought the car used a few years ago here on rctech. Never really used it until this summer. I don't mind getting a few upgrades I just don't want to option myself out of a new car if you know what I mean. That samix chassis is $58.00 USD delivered. Seems very affordable upgrade. I will order the fiberlite parts this week and I'll probably go with the TRF ssbb shocks. I'm not sure what springs came with the stock kit but that's what I'm using now. The new shocks use "large diameter short springs" not sure what those are I'll have to figure it out. TAMIYA # 42305 says the come with black medium springs. I don't have a collection of TC spring yet so it's no big deal to me if the new shocks don't use my kit springs.

BD1541

All current short shocks uses 20mm springs thus don't be afraid to explore the likes of such from YOKOMO, SMJ , X Ray or even TRF themselves. I have a lot of success using SMJ springs which believe it or not OEM's for a lot of these guys except X Ray themselves. I personally use do not run TRF springs for my own reasons but SMJ or X RAY instead.

sosidge

I take the opposite view. Although I've never run the new short shocks, I've run a lot of cars over the years and I've never felt that the shocks themselves were holding me back. The Tamiya shocks are very good quality. The CG difference would be close to unmeasurable.

If the car is letting you run consistent laps, focus on fine tuning the setup, changing one thing at a time to see if it gets a bit more speed. Save your money for a future car change - at the end of the day the TRF418 is at least two generations out of date, and TRF "doesn't exist" any more.

76jimmy

iTrader: (28)

Yea I thought about that also. I definitely don't want to spend too much on updating this chassis. The ssbb upgrade isn't overly expensive but it's still almost $100. I was keen on getting a new chassis for next summer so maybe I will just hold off. I think this 418 is perfect for me as I'm new to on road racing and it didn't cost me a bunch to get into it. Maybe I'll just wait for a used 419x to come up for sale. I really like the TRF cars sad they are out of the game.

Qatmix

There will be a new TRF car, they just have scaled back their factory drivers. The designers etc are still there and working on cars. The TBEvo7 is testament to that.

Nortran11

I ran my TRF418 this evening at Hangar 30 in Seattle. Drove it to a podium so I am pretty happy with it. It's the third race I ran with it (first carpet race). The 418 had crazy grip with the Gravity USGT tires.

I installed the Samix chassis, top brace and floating steering and the car is super drivable.

sosidge

That's good to hear!

I don't race as often as I used to but still use the 418 for touring car races. Raced it indoors for the the first time in a while last weekend, ended up chasing the setup and didn't do as well as I would have liked but probably more a factor of my race rustiness than anything else.

Mitamiya

iTrader: (16)

Nice result!
I still race my 418 occasionally as well. I also have the Samix chassis, 419 rear diff, and 419 shocks. Those three things transform the car in my opinion.