Team Associated FT 13mm Shock Pistons 2mm 3 x 1.7 RC Buggy Tuning AS71174

Overview

The Team Associated FT 13mm Shock Pistons represent a precision tuning solution for serious RC enthusiasts running Factory Team 13mm shocks on their RC10 buggies. These CNC-machined Delrin™ pistons introduce a new level of damping control to your RC car UK setup, allowing you to fine-tune suspension response across varying track conditions. Whether you're competing at the highest levels or simply looking to optimise your RC buggy's handling characteristics, these shock pistons deliver the performance adjustments that championship-winning drivers demand.

Factory Team has engineered these 3-hole pistons to change the fundamental valving characteristics of your 13mm shocks, creating softer initial damping with reduced pack compared to traditional single or dual-hole designs. This innovative tuning element has proven itself at the very top of competitive RC racing, with Markus Kaerup utilising them to claim victory at the 2022 4WD Modified European Championships using his 13mm shock-equipped RC10B74.1. The comprehensive fitment across the RC10B6.4, RC10B6.4D, RC10B74.2, and RC10B74.2D ranges makes these pistons an essential upgrade for any serious RC car enthusiast looking to extract maximum performance from their suspension setup.

These shock pistons are designed for drivers who understand the nuances of suspension tuning and want to experiment with different damping configurations. The 3-hole design opens up new tuning possibilities that were previously unavailable, making them an invaluable addition to any serious RC competitor's spare parts collection. Whether you're tackling indoor tracks, outdoor grass surfaces, or varied terrain, these pistons provide the suspension adjustability needed to keep your RC buggy competitive.

Key Features

• 3-Hole Design for Softer Initial Damping — The three smaller orifices compared to traditional piston designs create softer initial damping with lower pack, fundamentally changing how your suspension responds to track inputs and allowing your RC buggy to absorb impacts more smoothly while maintaining composure through corners and transitions.
• Durable CNC-Machined Delrin™ Construction — Precision-engineered from high-quality Delrin™ material using CNC machinery, these pistons are built to withstand the demands of competitive RC racing whilst maintaining exact tolerances that ensure consistent performance across multiple races and testing sessions.
• Championship-Proven Performance — These pistons have been validated at the highest levels of international RC racing competition, with Factory Team drivers using them to secure victories at prestigious events including the 2022 4WD Modified European Championships, giving you confidence in their real-world effectiveness.
• Enhanced Traction on Lower-Grip Surfaces — When used on lower-grip track surfaces, the softer initial damping characteristics of the 3-hole design add forward bite and composure to your RC car UK setup, improving acceleration traction and overall driveability without sacrificing stability.
• Smoother Response on High-Traction Surfaces — On higher-grip tracks and surfaces, these pistons help slow suspension reaction time, resulting in a smoother steering feel and more controlled landings after jumps, reducing the tendency for the chassis to oscillate excessively.
• Proven Artificial Grass Performance — Factory Team has identified that 3-hole shock piston configurations are particularly effective on outdoor artificial grass surfaces, making them the ideal choice if you regularly race at facilities with synthetic playing field-style tracks.
• Available Across Multiple Orifice Sizes — This specific listing features 1.7mm orifice holes, but the range extends through 1.5mm to 1.7mm sizes, allowing you to fine-tune damping characteristics across a spectrum of track conditions and personal preference.
• 2mm Thick Piston Profile — The 2mm thickness of these pistons provides the optimal balance between damping consistency and suspension responsiveness for the RC10B6.4 and RC10B74.2 series, matching Factory Team's exacting performance specifications.

Technical Performance

These Team Associated FT 13mm Shock Pistons exemplify precision engineering at its finest, delivering the suspension tuning capabilities that competitive RC drivers require. The shock piston assembly is manufactured from Delrin™, a high-performance engineering plastic that offers exceptional durability, dimensional stability, and resistance to the chemical agents found in shock oil whilst maintaining the tight tolerances necessary for consistent damping characteristics. The 3-hole design with 1.7mm orifice diameter represents a significant departure from traditional single or dual-hole piston designs, creating a unique flow path for shock oil that results in softer initial damping—the critical first phase of suspension compression that determines how your RC buggy will feel when rolling over track irregularities and landing from jumps. The 2mm thickness of this piston specification provides the ideal balance for use in Factory Team 13mm shock bodies fitted to the RC10B6.4, RC10B6.4D, RC10B74.2, RC10B74.2D, and related 13mm shock-equipped platforms. The engineering behind these pistons reflects years of development and real-world racing feedback from Factory Team's international competition programme, ensuring that the damping characteristics align with the suspension geometry and weight distribution of modern RC10 buggies. These pistons work in conjunction with your existing shock springs, shock oil viscosity, and suspension geometry adjustments to provide a complete suspension tuning system. The valve pack that sits on top of the piston (typically consisting of various shim thicknesses) works with the 3-hole design to control the speed at which shock oil flows through the piston, creating the damping curve that determines your RC car UK's handling characteristics. By reducing the restriction to flow in the initial stages of compression through the 3-hole design, these pistons allow for quicker shock extension and softer initial feel, which translates to improved traction on lower-grip surfaces and smoother overall handling on high-traction tracks.

What's in the Box

• 1 x Team Associated FT 13mm Shock Piston (2mm thick, 3 x 1.7mm orifices)

Compatibility and Vehicle Fitment

These Team Associated FT 13mm Shock Pistons are designed for use with all 13mm shocks fitted to the following RC10 platforms: RC10B6.4, RC10B6.4D, RC10B74.2, RC10B74.2D. They will also fit the RC10B7, RC10B7D, RC10SC6.4, and RC10T6.4 models that feature compatible 13mm shock systems. These are spare parts and tuning components designed for existing shock bodies, so you will need to have factory team 13mm shocks already installed on your RC buggy to use these pistons. If you're upgrading from standard pistons to these 3-hole variants, the installation process involves removing the old piston from your shock body and inserting the new one, a task that typically requires basic RC maintenance knowledge and a shock rebuild stand for proper support.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between 3-hole and single-hole shock pistons? — The 3-hole design creates softer initial damping and lower pack compared to traditional single or dual-hole pistons, as the oil has three smaller pathways rather than one or two larger ones. This results in a more compliant suspension feel, particularly beneficial on lower-grip surfaces where you want maximum traction, and on high-traction tracks where you prefer smoother, slower suspension reactions for better steering control.
• Will these pistons work with my RC10B74.2? — Yes, these Team Associated FT 13mm Shock Pistons are specifically designed to fit all 13mm shocks for the RC10B74.2 and RC10B74.2D models, making them an ideal upgrade for owners of these buggies looking to optimise suspension performance.
• What shock oil viscosity should I use with these pistons? — The manufacturer specification is not detailed in the available documentation, but you should refer to Team Associated's official RC10 setup guides or contact your local RC specialist shop for the recommended shock oil weights to pair with these 3-hole pistons, as this will depend on your specific track conditions and driving style.
• Are these pistons suitable for beginners? — These shock pistons are primarily aimed at experienced RC racers and tuning enthusiasts who understand suspension setup and want to experiment with different damping configurations. While beginners can certainly use them, the benefits of 3-hole versus standard pistons are most apparent to drivers with significant RC buggy experience who can feel the subtle changes in suspension response.
• Why did Markus Kaerup win with these pistons? — At the 2022 4WD Modified European Championships, Markus Kaerup used the RC10B74.1 equipped with these 3-hole shock pistons to secure victory, demonstrating that the softer initial damping and lower pack characteristics these pistons provide deliver genuine competitive advantages in championship-level racing environments.
• Can I use just one of these pistons or do I need multiple? — A complete shock upgrade would typically require multiple pistons (usually one per corner of your RC buggy), so if you have four 13mm shocks you would need four of these pistons. This listing contains one piston, so you may need to order multiple units depending on your buggy configuration.
• What track surfaces are these pistons best suited to? — Factory Team has specifically highlighted that these 3-hole piston configurations are particularly beneficial on outdoor artificial grass surfaces, making them the ideal choice for racers who compete regularly at facilities with synthetic grass tracks. They are also effective on lower-grip and high-traction surfaces where their softer damping characteristics provide genuine performance benefits.
• How do shock pistons affect my RC buggy's handling? — Shock pistons directly control how quickly your suspension compresses and extends, which determines your buggy's ride height, traction, steering feel, and overall stability. The 3-hole design of these pistons provides softer initial damping, translating to more traction on low-grip surfaces and smoother reactions on high-grip tracks, allowing you to fine-tune your setup for specific conditions.

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 TEAM ASSOCIATED FT 13MM SHOCK PISTONS, 2MM, 3 x 1.7 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.