FF-01
The FF-01 chassis represents the first front-wheel drive in Tamiya production; FF-01 is closely related to the TA02 chassis with which it shares some parts. FF-01 is divided into two sub-families that differ in wheelbase: one family has a long wheelbase of 258 mm and another family has a short wheelbase of 245 mm. Over the years, two special long-wheelbase models have been released that feature certain performance-enhancing components. The following models belong to this family
– Idemitsu Motion Mugen Civic, model number 58121 put on sale in 1993 and available on the market until 1997, 258 mm wheelbase
– Castrol Honda Civic Vti, model number 58127 put on sale in 1993 and available on the market until 1997, 258 mm wheelbase
– Toms Levin, model number 58131 offered for sale in 1993 and available on the market until 1997, 258 mm wheelbase
– Jaccs Civic, model number 58133 offered for sale in 1994 and available on the market until 1997, 258 mm wheelbase
– Renault Clio Williams, model number 58138 put on sale in 1994 and available on the market until 1996, 245 mm wheelbase
– Ford Mondeo BTCC Touring Car, model number 58143 put on sale in 1994 and available on the market until 1996, wheelbase 258 mm
– Castrol Nissan Primera JTCC, model number 58147 put on sale in 1994 and available on the market until 1997, 258 mm wheelbase
– HKS Opel Vectra JTCC, model number 58159 put on sale in 1995 and available on the market until 1997, 258 mm wheelbase
– Volkswagen Golf VR6, model number 58162 put on sale in 1995 and available on the market until 1997, 245 mm wheelbase
– Toyota Toms EXIV JTCC, model number 58167 put on sale in 1995 and available on the market until 1999, 258 mm wheelbase
– Volvo 850 BTCC, model number 58183 put on sale in 1996 and available on the market until 2000, 258 mm wheelbase
– PIAA Accord VTEC, model number 58186 put on sale in 1996 and available on the market until 2002, 258 mm wheelbase
– Volkswagen Golf V5, model number 58206 put on sale in 1998 and available on the market until 2002, 245 mm wheelbase
– Volkswagen New Beetle, model number 58217 put up for sale in 1998 and available on the market until 2000, 245 mm wheelbase
The long-wheelbase and short-wheelbase chassis have exactly the same components and it is possible to obtain a short-wheelbase chassis from the components of the long-wheelbase chassis without changing any parts and vice versa: simply assemble the same parts in a different way. The change in wheelbase is achieved by changing the way the rear suspension is installed. See image below the parts highlighted in green for the short-wheelbase models and in red for the long-wheelbase models; observe the different way in which the same parts that form the rear suspension are installed.
The chassis is designed to improve traction control so the balance of the machine is shifted to the front compared to an identical four-wheel-drive model; the differential housing is in line with the front axle and the motor is mounted cantilevered over the front axle, shifting the machine’s centre of gravity forward.
The four wheels have independent suspension with spring and oil shock absorbers. The shock absorbers are black from the CVA family.
To improve performance, the chassis is equipped with a ball differential as standard. The chassis is composed of an ABS tub that it shares with the TA02 chassis; part number 9335609 or 50637 ‘TA02 & FWD Touring Car Chassis/Frame’ that fits different models:
– FF01 family,
– TA02 family in its TA02, TA02SW, TA02-T and TA02W versions.
The main parts that these two chassis families share are:
– 50492, FWD touring car drive shaft and cup set
– 50554, 4WD and FWD touring and rally car rear uprights
– 50604, TA02, FWD and TGX wheels axel (2 pieces)
– 50637, TA02 & FWD touring car chassis
– 50643, TA02 & FWD touring car drive shaft 2 pcs.
– 53070, Manta Ray – Ball Differential Set
During an event in Japan, a series of plastic parts with special colors were put on sale:
– Fluorescent Orange Hi-Torque Servo Saver, item number 49036
– Fluorescent Yellow Hi-Torque Servo Saver Set. item number 49553
– Fluorescent Green Hi-Torque Servo Saver Set, item number 49554
– Fluorescent yellow suspension arms part D (2 sets), item number 49543
– Fluorescent green suspension arms part D (2 sets), item number 49544
– Fluorescent green adjuster set suspension upper arms, item number 49545
– Fluorescent pink adjuster set suspension upper arms, item number 49546
– Fluorescent orange damper springs, item number 49555
– Fluorescent green damper springs, item number 49556
– Fluorescent yellow damper springs, item number 49557
– Fluorescent pink damper springs, item number 49558
– White suspension arms, part D (2 pieces per package), item number 49574
– White mini CVA dampers (2 pieces per package), item number 49577
– White chassis, item number 49578
– Fluorescent orange chassis, item number 49579
There are two special versions:
– Calsonic Nissan Primera JTCC Upgrade Special, model number 58151 put on sale in 1995 and available on the market until 1996, 258 mm wheelbase
– JACCS Accord Upgrade Special, model number 58190 put on sale in 1997 and available on the market until 1998, 258 mm wheelbase
These two models are equipped with some performance-enhancing accessories:
– black Sport Tuned electric motor,
– front and rear springs with different stiffnesses from the other models to improve road holding. The springs are not the only difference in the suspension, the possibility of adjusting the camber of the 4 wheels has been included in the upgraded model. See image below, on the left are images from the manual of the standard model and on the right images from the manual of the upgraded model; the parts highlighted in green are the non-adjustable suspension arms of the standard model and the parts highlighted in red are the adjustable suspension arms of the upgraded model,
– blue anodised aluminium heat sink to dissipate the heat of the electric motor. This accessory requires a different installation of the electric motor. See image below, on the left are images of the manual for the standard model and on the right images of the manual for the model with upgrade.
The plate for attaching the electric motor for standard models is highlighted in the purple border box. The electric motor heat sink for the upgraded models is highlighted in the blue border box. The blue anodised heatsink is an accessory that was never released as a single part and is only characteristic of these two models. In order to install this heatsink, a special metal motor mount plate must be installed; see the part highlighted in orange,
– anodised wheel nuts in red and blue,
– the four tyres are super slicks with internal foam rubber to improve shoulder rigidity.
