Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 30 Tooth 48DP 1/8 Shaft AS1348

Overview

The Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 30T 48DP is a premium performance upgrade designed for RC enthusiasts across the UK who demand precision engineering and reliability from their drivetrain components. Whether you're a competitive racer, a weekend basher, or an RC hobbyist looking to optimise your vehicle's performance, this Factory Team hop-up delivers the lightweight efficiency and durability that serious RC car builders expect. Built by Associated Electrics, one of the most respected names in RC racing worldwide, this 30-tooth pinion gear is engineered to replace standard steel gears with a sophisticated aluminium alternative that reduces rotating mass whilst maintaining exceptional strength and longevity.

This pinion gear is specifically engineered for 48 pitch drivetrains and features a 3.2mm (1/8 inch) shaft, making it compatible with a wide range of Associated vehicles and other RC cars that utilise 48DP motor shafts. The move from heavier steel gears to this lightweight aluminium construction brings tangible benefits to RC car performance: faster acceleration, improved throttle response, reduced power draw from your ESC, and ultimately longer runtimes from your battery pack. For RC car UK enthusiasts building or upgrading electric-powered vehicles, switching to Factory Team pinion gears represents a smart investment in your setup's overall performance and reliability.

The 30-tooth specification positions this gear perfectly for users seeking a balanced approach to gearing—offering moderate top speed whilst maintaining strong acceleration and torque delivery. It's neither too aggressive nor too conservative, making it an excellent choice for diverse track layouts and driving styles, whether you're running in grass racing events, on-road circuits, or multi-terrain courses across the UK.

Key Features

• Factory Team Hop-Up Grade — This is not a standard OEM component; it's a Factory Team performance upgrade that represents Associated's engineering excellence and attention to detail. Factory Team components are specifically designed and tested by Associated's racing division to deliver measurable performance gains over standard parts, making this the choice of competitive racers and serious hobbyists.
• 7075-T6 Aluminium Construction — The gear is machined from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminium alloy, which offers an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. This premium aluminium alloy is specifically chosen for high-stress applications because it maintains rigidity and durability even at the lightest possible weight, critical for pinion gears that experience rotational forces during driving.
• Hard-Anodised Finish for Extended Life — The entire gear is hard-anodised, a surface treatment that significantly increases wear resistance, hardness, and corrosion protection compared to standard anodising. This protective coating extends the operational lifespan of your pinion gear, reducing wear on both the gear teeth and the mating spur gear, ultimately saving you money on replacement components over time.
• Two Set-Screw Mounting Holes — The dual set-screw holes provide mounting flexibility, allowing you to secure this pinion gear to your motor shaft using either one or two set-screws depending on your vehicle's design and your personal preference. This dual-hole design accommodates different motor configurations and gives you options for achieving the exact gear mesh you need.
• Laser-Etched Tooth Count — Each gear features a precision laser-etched tooth count clearly visible on the gear body, making identification quick and easy during setup, adjustment, and storage. No more guessing or checking documentation—the tooth count is permanently marked and readable at a glance, a small but practical detail that experienced RC car UK builders appreciate.
• Weight-Reduction Holes on Larger Sizes — Pinions in the 30-tooth size and above feature integrated weight-reduction holes strategically positioned around the gear body. These holes further reduce the rotational mass and inertia of the gear without compromising structural integrity, contributing to even quicker acceleration and more responsive vehicle control.

Technical Performance

The Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 30T 48DP represents a thoughtful engineering approach to drivetrain optimisation. At 30 teeth with a 48DP (diametral pitch) specification, this gear is precisely sized for integration with standard 48-pitch spur gears commonly found in 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC cars. The 48DP designation indicates the gear pitch—a standardised measurement that ensures proper mesh and engagement with compatible spur gears. The 3.2mm (1/8 inch) shaft diameter is the industry standard for brushless motor shafts in this scale range, ensuring straightforward installation on virtually any modern brushless RC car motor. The choice of 7075-T6 aluminium provides approximately 30-35% weight savings compared to equivalent steel pinions whilst actually increasing tensile strength and fatigue resistance—a remarkable achievement in materials engineering. The hard-anodised coating adds a protective layer typically 50-100 microns thick, which dramatically improves surface hardness (typically 400+ HV) and provides superior corrosion resistance, particularly important if you operate your RC car in wet conditions common across the UK. The weight-reduction holes on this 30T version trim inertia further without creating stress concentration points that would compromise durability. Together, these features create a pinion gear that accelerates faster, responds more sharply to throttle input, draws less current from your ESC, and simply lasts longer under the demanding conditions of regular RC racing and bashing.

What's in the Box

• Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear, 30T, 48DP, 3.2mm (1/8 inch) shaft

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will this 30T pinion gear fit my Associated RC car? — This pinion gear is compatible with any Associated vehicle (and many other RC cars) that uses a brushless motor with a standard 3.2mm (1/8 inch) shaft and runs a 48-pitch drivetrain. Associated vehicles known to use 48DP drivetrains include the B6, B6.1, B6.2, B6.3, B6.4, B74, B74.1, B74.2, T6, T6.1, T6.2, T6.4, RC10, RC10SC, SC10, DR10, DR10M, and many others. Check your vehicle's specification sheet to confirm it uses 48DP components. If you're uncertain, our RC Model Shop team are happy to help identify the correct pinion size for your specific model.
• What is the difference between a 30T and 28T or 32T pinion gear? — Tooth count directly affects your vehicle's gearing ratio. A lower tooth count (like 28T) creates a more aggressive gear ratio, increasing top speed but reducing torque and acceleration. A higher tooth count (like 32T) creates a taller gear ratio, improving acceleration and hill-climbing ability but reducing maximum speed. The 30T sits in the middle, offering a balanced compromise suitable for most track layouts and driving styles. Your choice depends on your specific track, motor KV rating, battery voltage, and driving preferences.
• Why choose aluminium over steel pinion gears? — Aluminium pinions like this Factory Team offering provide significant advantages: they're substantially lighter (reducing rotating mass improves acceleration and responsiveness), they maintain excellent strength through superior alloy selection (7075-T6 is aerospace-grade material), the hard-anodised finish extends component life by improving wear resistance, and they simply make your RC car feel more lively and responsive. The weight savings in rotating components have a disproportionate effect on performance because every gram of rotational mass requires energy to spin up. For competitive racers and performance-focused hobbyists, upgrading to Factory Team aluminium gears is one of the most effective single-component upgrades available.
• Is this suitable for beginners to RC? — Yes, this is absolutely suitable for beginners. Unlike complex performance upgrades that require technical knowledge to install and tune, simply swapping your pinion gear is straightforward—it requires basic tools (an Allen key to remove the set-screw) and takes just minutes. The performance improvement is immediately noticeable (better acceleration, crisper throttle response) without requiring any special knowledge to appreciate. We'd recommend it as an excellent first upgrade for any RC car enthusiast looking to enhance their vehicle's performance.
• What tools do I need to install this pinion gear? — Installation is simple and requires only basic tools: an appropriate-sized Allen key (hex key) that fits the set-screw holes on your motor shaft, and potentially a small screwdriver for removing the existing pinion gear's set-screw(s). Some users also appreciate having a small amount of thread-locking compound (like removable strength Loctite) to secure the set-screw permanently, preventing it from loosening during operation—though this is optional. No specialist equipment is needed.
• How do I know if this is the right tooth count for my setup? — Pinion tooth selection depends on several factors: your motor's KV rating (higher KV motors often pair with higher tooth counts), your battery voltage and cell count, the type of track or terrain you'll be driving on, and your desired performance characteristics. Generally, 30T represents a middle-ground option suitable for most standard setups. If you find your car topping out too easily, you might go higher (31T-33T). If you want more top-end speed, you might go lower (28T-29T). Our RC Model Shop team can help you select the optimal pinion tooth count for your specific vehicle and driving style.

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 30T 48DP 1/8"SHAFT AS1348 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.