Overview
Optimise your Team Associated 12mm big bore shocks with these Factory Team precision-engineered flat pistons. Designed for serious RC enthusiasts across the UK who demand consistency and performance from their RC cars, these AS91353 pistons represent a significant upgrade over standard components. Whether you're running a Team Associated SC10, RC10B4 series, or RC10T4 platform, these Factory Team pistons deliver the precision fitment and concentricity needed to transform your shock performance and handling characteristics.
These machined and precision-engineered pistons take RC shock tuning to the next level by allowing independent adjustment of compression and rebound damping. The flat piston design means your shock will travel at the same speed in both compression and rebound when equal force is applied, providing predictable and consistent handling across all driving conditions. Whether you're a weekend basher fine-tuning your RC buggy or a serious competitor seeking marginal gains, these pistons offer the control and precision that separates average setups from championship-winning configurations.
As an authorised Team Associated retailer, RC Model Shop stocks genuine Factory Team upgrade parts like these pistons to help you get the absolute maximum performance from your RC platform. The AS91353 is a recognised upgrade option for multiple Associated models and represents genuine factory engineering backed by years of competitive racing development.
Key Features
- Precision CNC Machined Construction — Each piston is machined to exact tolerances using computer numerical control technology, ensuring perfect fitment and concentricity with your 12mm big bore shock body for superior handling consistency and performance.
- Four 1.3mm Holes — The four-hole configuration with 1.3mm diameter holes provides optimal fluid passage rates, allowing you to fine-tune damping characteristics and achieve the exact pack and responsiveness your RC car needs for your driving style and track conditions.
- Flat Piston Design — Unlike tapered alternatives, the flat piston face design ensures equal travel speed in both compression (upward movement) and rebound (downward movement), providing predictable and consistent shock behaviour across all suspension events.
- Independent Damping Tuning — The flat configuration allows you to tune compression and rebound independently by adjusting pack and hole sizing, giving you complete control over how your RC car behaves during acceleration, braking, and cornering.
- Genuine Factory Team Option Part — This is an official Team Associated Factory Team upgrade component, not an aftermarket alternative, meaning you're getting the same engineering and quality used in professional racing operations.
- Wide Model Compatibility — Compatible with Team Associated SC10, SC10.2, SC10GT, RC10B4, RC10B4.1, RC10B4.2, RC10B44, RC10B44.1, RC10B44.2, RC10T4.1, and RC10T4.2 platforms, making this a versatile upgrade for multiple vehicles.
Technical Performance
These Factory Team pistons represent the pinnacle of Team Associated shock engineering. The precision CNC machining ensures that each piston maintains perfect concentricity with your 12mm big bore shock body, eliminating wobble and inconsistency that can develop with standard pistons over time. The machining process creates perfectly flat piston faces with exact hole diameters, critical for consistent damping performance. The four 1.3mm holes represent a balanced approach to fluid passage—larger than 1.4mm holes but smaller than 1.6mm or 1.7mm alternatives, meaning these pistons deliver a moderate flow rate suitable for a wide range of driving conditions and pack preferences. The flat piston design ensures symmetric performance, so your shock behaves identically whether the piston is moving upward during compression or downward during rebound, assuming equal hydraulic forces. This predictability is essential for serious RC racing where you need repeatable, confidence-inspiring handling lap after lap. The tapered alternative (AS91350) would provide asymmetric performance with faster rebound than compression, but these flat pistons give you equal performance in both directions, making them ideal for drivers who want symmetrical handling characteristics. Built from high-grade materials selected by Team Associated engineers for durability and consistency, these pistons will maintain their performance characteristics through countless driving sessions.
What's in the Box
- One pair of Factory Team 12mm big bore flat pistons (AS91353)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between flat and tapered pistons for RC shocks? — Flat pistons have equal flow characteristics in compression and rebound, travelling at the same speed when equal force is applied, providing symmetric handling. Tapered pistons have one angled side, allowing faster travel in one direction, enabling independent tuning of compression and rebound with different pack characteristics. If you want predictable, symmetrical handling, flat pistons are the right choice; if you want maximum independent tuning flexibility, tapered alternatives like the AS91350 offer more control.
- How do piston holes affect my RC shock performance? — Larger diameter holes allow more fluid to pass through the piston, causing the shock to move faster and feel less stiff. Smaller holes restrict fluid flow, making the shock move slower and feel harder. The four 1.3mm holes on these pistons provide a moderate flow rate—larger than 1.4mm holes but smaller than 1.6mm or 1.7mm options—making them suitable for balanced performance across various driving conditions. If you find your shocks too soft, you can reduce hole diameter or add pack; if too stiff, increase hole diameter or remove pack.
- What is pack and how do these pistons let me adjust it? — Pack is the feeling of hydraulic lock when shock fluid flowing through the piston holes reaches a certain speed, preventing bottoming out during harsh landings. By changing the number of holes or their diameter, you adjust pack levels. These four-hole pistons create a specific pack characteristic; switching to two-hole pistons (AS91346, AS91347, or AS91348) would increase pack and stiffness, while switching to three-hole pistons (AS91349) would reduce pack slightly.
- Which Team Associated models are these pistons compatible with? — These AS91353 flat pistons fit all 12mm big bore shock applications, including the SC10, SC10.2, SC10GT, RC10B4, RC10B4.1, RC10B4.2, RC10B44, RC10B44.1, RC10B44.2, RC10T4.1, and RC10T4.2. Check your vehicle's shock specification before ordering; most modern Associated vehicles use 12mm shocks, but some older models may require different sizes.
- Are these suitable for beginners? — These pistons are suitable for any RC enthusiast, from beginners to experienced racers. However, they are a tuning component that requires understanding of how piston specifications affect shock performance. Beginners should learn basic suspension tuning concepts before switching pistons, but these genuine Factory Team parts are an excellent investment for long-term use on your RC car.
- How many pistons are included? — This package includes one pair of flat pistons (two individual pistons), sufficient to service both front and rear shocks on your RC vehicle.
- Can I use these with different shock fluids? — These pistons work with standard shock fluid used in RC vehicles. Heavier weight fluid (higher viscosity) will slow shock movement and increase pack feel; lighter fluid will speed movement and reduce pack. These pistons will function with any standard RC shock fluid, allowing you to tune via both piston selection and fluid weight.
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 12MM BIG BORE FT PISTONS 4 HOLE x 1.3MM (FLAT) AS91353 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.
- Brand: Team Associated
- Model Number: AS91353
- Product Type: 12mm Big Bore Shock Pistons
- Piston Shape: Flat
- Number of Holes: 4
- Hole Diameter: 1.3mm
- Quantity Included: 1 pair (2 individual pistons)
- Construction: Precision CNC machined
- Material: High-grade machined material
- Shock Type Compatibility: 12mm big bore shocks
- Vehicle Compatibility: Team Associated SC10, SC10.2, SC10GT, RC10B4, RC10B4.1, RC10B4.2, RC10B44, RC10B44.1, RC10B44.2, RC10T4.1, RC10T4.2
- UPC Barcode: 784695913530
- Piston Design Feature: Flat piston face (equal compression and rebound travel speed)
- Performance Characteristic: Equal damping in compression and rebound directions with equal applied force
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.