Overview
Upgrade your Team Associated RC8B3.2 buggy with the Factory Team Front Suspension Arm Inserts in carbon fibre. These optional performance inserts represent the latest innovation from Team Associated's Factory Team brand, designed specifically for RC enthusiasts and competitive racers in the UK who demand the highest standards of performance and durability. Whether you're a weekend basher exploring the world of RC buggies or a serious competitor looking for every marginal gain, these carbon fibre inserts deliver noticeable improvements to your suspension setup without breaking the bank.
The RC8B3.2 is renowned as one of the most popular 1/10-scale 4WD off-road racing buggies, and these Factory Team upgrades give you the opportunity to fine-tune your suspension geometry and stiffness characteristics. If you've been running your RC car UK with stock plastic arm inserts and noticed flex or compliance in the suspension under hard cornering or acceleration, these carbon inserts are the solution you've been looking for. They represent genuine Factory Team racing technology, developed and tested by the same engineers who compete at the highest levels of RC buggy racing worldwide.
These inserts are more than just a performance upgrade – they also deliver that professional, competition-grade appearance that separates Factory Team cars from standard builds. The clean carbon fibre finish gives your buggy a premium look that matches the quality of your driving.
Key Features
- 1.2mm Carbon Fibre Construction — Made from high-quality carbon fibre material that is significantly stiffer than the stock plastic inserts, these components provide improved structural integrity and reduce unwanted flex in your suspension arms, resulting in more consistent handling characteristics during aggressive driving and racing conditions.
- Factory Team Specification — These are genuine Factory Team parts developed by Team Associated's competition division, meaning they meet the exacting standards used in professional RC racing and have been thoroughly tested and proven in the most demanding conditions.
- Drop-In Replacement Design — The inserts are engineered to perfectly replace the stock plastic arm inserts that come standard on the RC8B3.2, requiring no modifications to your chassis or suspension arms, making installation straightforward for builders of all experience levels.
- Improved Suspension Arm Stiffness — By replacing the softer plastic components with rigid carbon fibre, you'll experience reduced deflection under cornering loads, which translates to more predictable suspension behaviour, better weight transfer, and improved traction throughout your run.
- Professional Competition Appearance — The natural carbon weave finish provides that unmistakable Factory Team aesthetic, giving your RC buggy a polished, professional look that reflects the quality of your upgrades and build standards.
- Genuine Team Associated Parts — Sourced directly from Team Associated, you can be confident that you're getting authentic Factory Team components with the quality assurance and compatibility guarantees that come with genuine OEM parts for your RC8B3.2.
Technical Performance
The RC8B3.2 FT Front Suspension Arm Inserts represent a significant materials upgrade over the standard plastic components found on stock RC8B3.2 and RC8B3.2e models. At 1.2mm thickness, these carbon fibre inserts provide substantially increased rigidity compared to their plastic equivalents, which translates directly into improved suspension performance during racing and high-speed driving. Carbon fibre's superior strength-to-weight ratio ensures that you gain stiffness without adding unnecessary mass to your suspension arms. This engineering refinement is particularly important in 1/10-scale 4WD racing, where even small changes in suspension compliance can significantly affect cornering speed, braking stability, and overall lap consistency. The inserts work by reinforcing the suspension arm structure, reducing the micro-flexing that occurs under heavy cornering loads and aggressive acceleration. This results in more direct and predictable suspension geometry changes, better tyre contact patch consistency, and improved weight transfer during transitions. The Factory Team specification ensures these parts have been tested and validated at the highest levels of competitive RC racing, so you're not just getting an upgrade – you're getting technology proven by professional racers. Installation is straightforward, requiring only removal of the stock plastic inserts and careful installation of the carbon fibre replacements, making this an accessible upgrade for builders at all levels.
What's in the Box
- Team Associated RC8B3.2 FT Front Suspension Arm Inserts (carbon fibre, 1.2mm) — pair
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will these carbon fibre arm inserts work on my RC8B3.2e? — Yes, these Factory Team inserts are compatible with both the RC8B3.2 and RC8B3.2e models. They are designed as direct replacements for the stock plastic inserts found on both versions of this popular 1/10-scale buggy.
- What is the difference between these Factory Team carbon inserts and aftermarket alternatives? — These are genuine Team Associated Factory Team parts, developed and tested by the same engineers responsible for Team Associated's competition racing programme. Factory Team components are engineered to exact specifications and have been proven in professional racing conditions, ensuring quality, compatibility, and performance that aftermarket alternatives may not match.
- How much stiffer are the carbon inserts compared to plastic? — Carbon fibre at 1.2mm thickness provides substantially greater rigidity than the stock plastic inserts. The exact stiffness increase depends on the specific plastic compound used in the stock parts, but carbon fibre typically offers 2-3 times greater rigidity, which translates to noticeably reduced flex under cornering and acceleration loads.
- Will I notice a performance difference after installing these inserts? — Yes, most racers and serious enthusiasts report noticeably improved suspension consistency, better cornering feel, and more predictable handling after upgrading to these carbon inserts. The improvement is particularly noticeable on high-grip surfaces and during aggressive driving where suspension flex becomes more apparent.
- Are these suitable for beginners? — While these are competition-grade components, they are not exclusive to professional racers. Any RC car UK enthusiast with a basic understanding of suspension geometry and assembly can install these inserts. They represent a worthwhile upgrade for anyone serious about improving their RC8B3.2's performance.
- How do I install these carbon inserts? — These are drop-in replacements for the stock plastic inserts. The installation process involves disassembling your front suspension arms, carefully removing the plastic inserts, and installing the carbon fibre replacements in their place. No modifications to your chassis or suspension geometry are required – they fit perfectly within the existing suspension arm design.
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 RC8B3.2 FT FRONT SUSP. ARM INSERTS CARBON 1.2MM AS81440 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.
- Product Type: Front Suspension Arm Inserts
- Brand: Team Associated
- Model Number: AS81440
- Part Number: 81440
- Material: Carbon Fibre
- Thickness: 1.2mm
- Quantity: Pair (pr)
- Compatibility: RC8B3.2, RC8B3.2e
- UPC: 784695814400
- MSRP: $21.99 USD
- Installation Type: Drop-in replacement for stock plastic inserts
- Purpose: Increased suspension arm stiffness, improved handling consistency
- Finish: Factory Team carbon fibre weave
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
- As soon as your order is on its way we will send you a tracking number by email. If you provide your mobile number at checkout we will also send delivery updates straight to your phone so you can keep an eye on progress.
- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.