Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 23T 48DP 1/8 Inch Motor Shaft AS1341

Overview

The Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 23T 48DP 1/8" Shaft (AS1341) is an essential upgrade component for serious RC enthusiasts across the UK who demand precision engineering and lightweight performance. This 23-tooth pinion gear represents the perfect balance between acceleration and top speed for competitive RC car builds, making it an ideal choice whether you're running 1/10 scale buggy racing, short course truck competition, or high-performance off-road RC vehicles. As part of Associated's renowned Factory Team hop-up range, this pinion gear has been specifically engineered to reduce rotating mass whilst maintaining absolute durability, helping you achieve smoother gear mesh, faster response times, and improved efficiency on the track or trail.

If you're looking to optimise your RC car's drivetrain for better performance, the AS1341 pinion gear delivers genuine Factory Team quality that serious competitors and weekend bashers alike have trusted for decades. Associated is synonymous with excellence in RC racing, and this pinion gear exemplifies their commitment to precision manufacturing and race-proven design. The 23-tooth configuration works perfectly with standard spur gears to give you that sweet spot of acceleration and speed, whilst the lightweight aluminium construction helps reduce unsprung weight and inertia, translating to quicker acceleration and improved handling characteristics across a wide range of RC vehicles including buggies, trucks, and specialist competition builds.

Available now through RC Model Shop, the AS1341 is an affordable yet high-quality upgrade that will make an immediate difference to your RC car's performance. Whether you're upgrading from a heavier steel pinion or building a new RC racing setup, this Factory Team component offers exceptional value and proven reliability that has made Associated the choice of champions and enthusiasts throughout the UK and beyond.

Key Features

• Factory Team Hop-Up Grade — This pinion gear is part of Associated's premium Factory Team range, meaning it has been engineered to exacting standards specifically for performance-focused RC applications where every fraction of a second and gram of weight matters.
• 7075-T6 Aluminium Construction — Manufactured from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminium alloy, this material offers an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio that is significantly lighter than traditional steel pinions whilst maintaining the durability needed for competitive use and high-speed driving.
• Hard Anodised Finish — The hard anodised coating provides a protective layer that resists wear, corrosion, and oxidation, ensuring that your pinion gear will maintain its precision tooth profile and smooth engagement with your spur gear over thousands of RC driving cycles.
• Two Set-Screw Mounting Holes — The dual set-screw holes allow for secure and reliable mounting onto your motor shaft, preventing slippage and ensuring consistent power delivery and smooth acceleration without gear skip or hesitation.
• Laser-Etched Tooth Count — Each pinion gear features a laser-etched tooth count marking for instant visual identification, allowing you to quickly verify which pinion you're installing and making it simple to swap between different tooth counts for gear ratio adjustments without confusion.
• 48-Pitch Specification — The 48-pitch (48DP) specification is a standard specification widely used across competitive RC racing applications, ensuring compatibility with the majority of Associated competition kits and aftermarket spur gears available in the UK RC market.
• 1/8" Motor Shaft Compatibility — With a precisely machined 3.2mm (1/8 inch) bore, this pinion gear fits standard Associated and compatible motor shafts perfectly, making installation straightforward and ensuring reliable torque transmission without slippage.

Technical Performance

The AS1341 pinion gear represents genuine engineering excellence in RC drivetrain components. Manufactured from 7075-T6 aluminium, this material has been chosen specifically because it offers superior strength characteristics whilst being significantly lighter than traditional steel alternatives, helping to reduce rotating mass and improve overall vehicle responsiveness. The 23-tooth configuration is particularly versatile, offering a balanced gear ratio that provides strong acceleration without sacrificing top-end speed, making it suitable for a wide range of track conditions and driving styles. The hard anodised finish is not merely cosmetic—it is a critical functional upgrade that provides genuine wear resistance and corrosion protection, ensuring that the precisely cut tooth profile maintains its engagement characteristics over extended use. The dual set-screw holes offer redundant mounting security, which is essential in competitive RC racing where vibration and extreme cornering forces can stress drivetrain components. The laser-etched tooth count is a practical feature born from real-world racing experience, allowing pit crews and drivers to quickly identify gear ratios during competition and make rapid adjustments without handling each pinion individually. At just 3.2mm shaft diameter, this pinion is specifically designed for high-performance electric motors commonly found in modern 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC racing vehicles, including competitive buggies, stadium trucks, and short course trucks popular throughout the UK RC racing community.

What's in the Box

• Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 23T 48DP with 1/8" shaft (AS1341)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a pinion gear and why do I need to upgrade mine? — The pinion gear is the small gear mounted directly onto your RC motor shaft that drives the larger spur gear in your transmission. Upgrading from a standard steel pinion to a lightweight aluminium Factory Team version reduces rotating mass, which means your motor has to work less hard to accelerate the drivetrain, resulting in faster acceleration, smoother gear engagement, and improved overall vehicle responsiveness. The 23-tooth configuration provides a good balance for most RC driving scenarios in the UK.
• Is the 23-tooth pinion suitable for beginners and which RC vehicles can I use it with? — Yes, the 23-tooth configuration is actually one of the most versatile tooth counts available and works well for both beginners and experienced racers. The AS1341 is compatible with a wide range of Associated RC vehicles including the TC7.1, TC7.2, B6.1, B6.1D, B6.2, B6.3, B6.4, B6.4D, B74.2, B74.2D, B7, B7D, F6, T6.1, T6.4, DR10, DR10M, RB10, RB10 Retro, SR10, RC10CC, RC10SC6.1, RC10SC6.2, RC10DR, SC10SW, Pro2 SC10, Pro2 LT10SW, Pro2 DK10SW Dakar, and various Element Enduro models including the Sendero, Trailwalker, Knightrunner, Ecto Trail Truck, Bushido, Zuul, Zuul IFS2, Utron SE, and Comp Fox variants. If you're unsure whether it fits your specific model, contact the RC Model Shop team and they'll be happy to confirm compatibility.
• What is the difference between the 23T and other tooth counts like 21T, 22T, 24T, and 25T? — The tooth count directly determines your gear ratio, which affects the balance between acceleration and top speed. Smaller tooth counts like 21T and 22T provide faster acceleration and lower top speed, making them ideal for tight, technical tracks. The 23T sits in the middle and is the most versatile choice for mixed conditions and general RC driving. Larger tooth counts like 24T and 25T provide less aggressive acceleration but higher top speeds, making them better for wide-open tracks or high-speed racing formats. Most UK RC racers use 23T or 24T as their baseline configuration.
• Will upgrading to this aluminium pinion gear really make a noticeable difference to my RC car's performance? — Yes, the difference is measurable and noticeable. By reducing rotating mass on your motor shaft, you reduce the inertia that your motor must overcome to accelerate the drivetrain. This translates to faster spool-up, quicker acceleration off the line, and improved responsiveness during cornering and direction changes. Additionally, the smoother tooth profile and better material consistency of Factory Team gears result in more efficient power transfer with less slippage and noise. Competitive racers use these gears precisely because they provide genuine performance benefits.
• Is this compatible with my Associated RC car? — The AS1341 is designed specifically for Associated vehicles with 1/8" (3.2mm) motor shafts and 48-pitch specifications. It's compatible with numerous Associated models including Factory Team buggies, trucks, and the Element Enduro line. To confirm compatibility with your specific model, check your vehicle's documentation or contact the RC Model Shop team with your model number.
• How difficult is it to install this pinion gear? — Installation is very straightforward. Simply remove your existing pinion gear from your motor shaft, clean the shaft thoroughly, and slide the new AS1341 pinion onto the shaft, aligning the set-screw holes. Secure it using the two set screws with appropriate hex drivers (typically 1.5mm), tightening firmly but not excessively to avoid stripping the soft aluminium. The laser-etched tooth count should face forward for visibility. The entire process takes just a few minutes.
• What set screws do I need to secure this pinion gear? — The AS1341 accepts standard 2mm socket head cap screws for the set-screw holes. Associated supplies appropriate set screws with most vehicles, but if you need replacements, any quality 2mm stainless steel set screws will work perfectly.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the ASSOCIATED FACTORY TEAM ALUM. PINION GEAR 23T 48DP 1/8"SHAFT AS1341 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.