Tamiya TRF 415MSX Project

The second generation of the TRF touring car line began in February of 2004 with the 58320 TRF 415 chassis almost exactly 2 years after the last version of the previous generation (TRF 414M II).  This was the first (and last) TRF touring chassis to be given a production 58xxx designation and was therefore not limited edition.  The manual indicates that this model was developed in conjunction with an outside company called "Tech Racing".  Over the next couple of years, Tamiya released a dizzying array of updates and upgrades to this chassis indicating that they were heavily invested in racing at the time. The first update was the 49349 TRF 415MS (named for driver Satoshi Maezumi) only 9 months later.  Whereas the original TRF 415 carried over the suspension from the TRF 414M, the MSX included changes related to the 49346 Lightweight Suspension Set (available separately) including new reversible lower suspension arms.  Not good enough?  A year later they released the 49381 TRF 415MSX with a host of additional changes, and then finally the awkwardly named 49419 TRF 415MSXX near the end of 2007.  Each model brought substantial incremental improvements and new parts.  I present a detailed list of the changes to each generation of the model in the table below.  That's not all the versions though.  There were also two special editions based on the changes driver Marc Rheinard made to win the IFMAR ISTC¹ world championship in 2004. The first of these was the 49394 TRF 415MSX Marc Rheinard Edition.  This was a 415MSX kit that had a significant list of components changed and included an appendix to the standard manual indicating which steps to modify.  Among the notable changes were the inclusion of a Protoform Mazda6 body and titanium screws.  Many of these improvements were carried forward into, and became the baseline for, the MSXX which was essentially a lower cost version (for example, steel screws) of the special edition.  Finally there was the 42104 TRF 415MSXX Marc Rheinard Edition in late 2007 to round out the TRF 415 line with the most significant change being replacement of the front one-way with a direct coupling. 

¹ International Federation of Model Automobile Racing, International Scale Touring Car class

There were also various modifications available.  All of the TRF 415 versions were configured for batteries using separate sub-C racing cells.  If you wanted to use a regular stick pack you could get the 49341 lower chassis for the basic model, the 49385 for the MSX, or the 49436 for the MSXX.  Prior to the release of the first Marc Rheinard special edition, you could get the 49351 TRF 415MS World Champ Parts set to get your MS model closer to what he used.  This kit collected some pre-existing option parts, not the unique parts that would later be available in the special edition. Finally, the 49378 TRF 415MSX Upgrade Parts converted a standard 415 or an MS into something approximating an MSX.

TRF 415MS Changes	TRF 415MSX Changes	TRF 415MSXX Changes
New lightweight reversible suspension Rear suspension mounts use 1A and 1C instead of 1C and 1D Default rear toe 2° instead of 2.5° New lighter rear uprights with smaller bearings Front suspension mounts use 1A instead of 1D New lighter front knuckles and hub carriers with smaller bearings Front caster now adjustable from 2° to 4° Suspension uses screw pins instead of hinge pins with E-clips Added cooling fins in motor mount Redesigned CVD universal joints Added carbon spur gear reinforcement plate New threaded spring perch includes o-ring for retention Shocks now blue instead of silver Modified shock towers New belt roller on upper deck New low friction belts (white)	Lower chassis plate now 2.5mm instead of 3.0mm New shorter upper chassis plate Upper chassis stiffener plates eliminated Rear suspension mounts use 1XD and 1B instead of 1A and 1C Default rear toe 3° instead of 2° Front suspension mounts use 1XB and 1B instead of 1A New bulkheads with removable caps for easy diff removal New aluminum rear drive cups with sliding dog bones Aluminum uprights instead of plastic New hinge pins retained by set screw Steering bridge moved on top of cranks New knurled shock caps Slightly modified shock towers Stiffer aluminum servo mounts Modified belt tensioner Only one set of anti-roll bars now included instead of three Anti-roll bars now include stoppers for better positioning	Can accommodate shorty battery packs Rear suspension mounts use 1XB and 1D instead of 1XD and 1B New style belts and pulleys with larger pitch Rear differential uses 9 balls instead of 8 Modified center shaft for better spacing Cooling features added to upper brace New steering cranks, bridge, and posts Front suspension mounts use 1A and 1B instead of 1XB and 1B Front one-way housing now one piece Air scoop added for motor cooling New upper deck New front bumper, mount, and retainer

Like the TRF 414 before it, the TRF 415 is a twin belt, 4WD, racing touring car chassis with carbon fiber upper and lower chassis plates, shock towers, and outer suspension mounts.  The original 415 shared the same suspension as well, but beyond that almost everything is changed.  Most obviously, the basic configuration changed from using saddle packs centered in the middle of the chassis to having the battery along the right side and all the electronics along the left.  The allowed the motor to be moved much lower for better center of gravity, but also necessitated moving it forward and outboard.  Most of the additional changes are discussed as part of my detailed build below.  The version of the chassis I was lucky enough to find for my collection is the TRF 415MSX.  I discuss the differences between this version and the baseline as part of my build as well.