Overview
The Team Associated Rear Springs V2 Green 4.0 lb/in (AS81236) are precision-engineered suspension components designed specifically for serious RC enthusiasts running 1/8 scale off-road buggies and truggies in the UK and beyond. These are replacement rear springs for the Big Bore shock absorber system, offering a critical tuning element that directly impacts how your RC car performs across varied track conditions. Whether you're competing at your local RC club, bashing at the weekend, or fine-tuning your setup for maximum performance, these springs represent Team Associated's commitment to quality and precision engineering.
As an authorised Team Associated dealer, RC Model Shop stocks genuine OEM parts that give you the confidence that you're getting authentic components built to exacting standards. The V2 rear springs are colour-coded in green to denote their specific spring rate, making it easy to identify and manage your suspension tuning options. If you're looking to optimise your RC buggy's handling characteristics or need to replace worn suspension components, these springs are an essential upgrade that will transform how your vehicle responds to track input.
Spring rate selection is one of the most fundamental aspects of RC car setup, influencing everything from traction and grip to stability through corners and jumps. The 4.0 lb/in rating places these springs in the medium-soft range, making them suitable for a wide variety of track conditions and driving styles. This versatility is why many RC drivers in the UK keep multiple spring rates on hand, allowing them to adapt quickly to different venues and weather conditions without needing a complete suspension rebuild.
Key Features
- V2 Design — The updated V2 specification represents Team Associated's latest engineering improvements, ensuring these springs deliver consistent performance and durability that meets modern competitive standards for 1/8 scale off-road racing.
- 4.0 lb/in Spring Rate — This medium-soft spring rate provides an excellent balance between compliance and support, making it suitable for mixed track conditions and accommodating various driver preferences and vehicle setups.
- Big Bore 1:8 Shock Compatibility — These springs are specifically engineered to work with Big Bore 1:8 shock absorbers, ensuring perfect fitment and optimal performance characteristics that can't be achieved with generic or incompatible springs.
- Green Colour Coding — The distinctive green colour code makes it instantly obvious which spring rate you're using, eliminating confusion during setup changes and helping you maintain consistent documentation of your tuning preferences.
- OEM Quality — As genuine Team Associated original equipment manufacturer parts, you can trust these springs meet the same standards used in competition vehicles, with consistent material quality and precise manufacturing tolerances.
- Wide Vehicle Compatibility — These springs work across multiple Team Associated platforms including the RC8B3, RC8B3.1, RC8B3.2, RC8T3.1, and RC8T3.2 models and their electric variants, making them a versatile choice for anyone running these chassis.
Technical Performance
The Team Associated V2 Rear Springs deliver the precise suspension tuning that competitive 1/8 scale off-road racing demands. Spring rate is measured in pounds per inch (lb/in), and the 4.0 rating means that for every inch of compression, the spring exerts 4 pounds of resistive force. This specification places these springs in the softer range of the Team Associated lineup, making them ideal for tracks with significant elevation changes, whoops, and jump sections where the suspension needs to absorb energy effectively whilst maintaining control. The V2 iteration incorporates refinements to spring geometry and material specifications, ensuring consistent performance throughout the spring's life cycle and reducing the likelihood of performance degradation over extended use. These springs are manufactured to exacting tolerances, with consistent wire diameter and coil spacing that ensures predictable compression curves and eliminates the spring rate variation that can occur with lower-quality aftermarket alternatives. When installed in Big Bore shock absorbers with the correct spring collars and cups (AS81221 and AS81194 respectively), these springs work in concert with damper fluid to create a complete suspension system that can be precisely tuned for any track condition. The engineering behind these springs reflects decades of Team Associated's experience in 1/8 scale off-road racing, where suspension performance is often the difference between winning and not placing.
What's in the Box
- One pair of Team Associated V2 Rear Springs, green colour, 4.0 lb/in rating
What You Need to Complete
- AS81221 Spring Collars (required if not already included with your shock kit)
- AS81194 Spring Cups (required if not already included with your shock kit)
- Big Bore 1:8 shock absorbers compatible with RC8B3, RC8B3.1, RC8B3.2, RC8T3.1, or RC8T3.2 chassis
- Note: Spring collars and cups are included with RC8B3.1 and RC8B3.1e shock kits, so you only need to purchase them separately if upgrading older RC8B3 or RC8B3e shocks
Compatibility & Installation Notes
The Team Associated V2 Rear Springs AS81236 are engineered specifically for Team Associated's Big Bore 1:8 shock system. If you're installing these springs onto RC8B3 or RC8B3e Big Bore shocks, you will need to separately source the AS81221 Spring Collars and AS81194 Spring Cups to complete the installation. However, if your vehicle is equipped with RC8B3.1, RC8B3.1e, RC8B3.2, or RC8B3.2e shocks, these collars and cups are already included as standard components in your shock kit. The springs are compatible across the entire RC8 series line including the RC8T3.1, RC8T3.1e, RC8T3.2, and RC8T3.2e models. Before installation, ensure your shock absorbers are properly cleaned and inspected for any damage. The spring should be installed with the smallest coil diameter facing downward into the shock body, and the spring collars should be positioned to secure the spring without over-tightening, which could affect the spring rate characteristics or cause premature wear.
Spring Rate Selection Guide
Choosing the correct spring rate is fundamental to optimising your RC buggy's performance. The 4.0 lb/in rating of these green springs is considered a medium-soft specification, making them particularly effective on tracks that feature significant elevation changes, rough sections, and jump areas where the suspension needs maximum compliance to maintain traction. Softer springs like these excel at absorbing energy, which helps keep your tyres in contact with the track surface longer, improving overall grip and consistency. If you find your vehicle is diving excessively under braking or rolling too much in corners, you may need a stiffer spring rate. Conversely, if the suspension feels harsh and bouncy, or if you're losing grip over bumpy sections, softer springs like the 4.0 lb/in will provide improvement. Many experienced RC racers maintain multiple spring rates in their workshop, allowing them to quickly adapt to different venues, weather conditions, and track surfaces without needing major setup changes. The colour-coding system used by Team Associated makes it easy to organise your spring collection and communicate setup specifications with fellow racers and pit crew members.
Why Choose Team Associated?
Team Associated is one of the most recognised and respected names in 1/8 scale off-road racing worldwide. With a heritage spanning decades and a reputation for engineering excellence, Team Associated components are trusted by competitive racers, weekend enthusiasts, and everyone in between. The company's commitment to quality control, precision manufacturing, and continuous innovation means that when you purchase genuine Team Associated parts like these V2 rear springs, you're investing in components that have been proven in the most demanding racing environments. The extensive compatibility across the RC8 series platform demonstrates the thoughtful engineering that goes into each component, making it easy for enthusiasts to upgrade and maintain their vehicles using genuine OEM parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the spring rate 4.0 lb/in actually mean? — Spring rate measures how much resistive force a spring exerts per unit of compression. A 4.0 lb/in spring means that for every inch the spring compresses, it generates 4 pounds of upward force. This specification is crucial for tuning because it directly affects how the suspension responds to track input, influencing traction, stability, and ride comfort across different conditions.
- Are these springs suitable for beginners? — Absolutely. The 4.0 lb/in rate is considered a medium-soft spring, which makes it beginner-friendly because it provides good compliance and forgiveness across a wide range of track conditions. Beginners will appreciate that softer springs are more forgiving of imperfect driving inputs and help maintain traction over rough sections, which is ideal whilst you're developing your skills.
- Do I need spring collars and cups to use these springs? — Yes, you will need AS81221 Spring Collars and AS81194 Spring Cups for proper installation. However, if your shocks are RC8B3.1, RC8B3.1e, RC8B3.2, or RC8B3.2e models, these components are already included in the shock kit. If you have older RC8B3 or RC8B3e shocks, you'll need to purchase the collars and cups separately.
- What RC buggy and truggy models are these springs compatible with? — These springs are designed for the entire RC8 family of 1/8 scale buggies and truggies, including the RC8B3, RC8B3.1, RC8B3.2, RC8T3.1, RC8T3.2 and their electric-specific variants (RC8B3.1e, RC8B3.2e, RC8T3.1e, RC8T3.2e). They work with Big Bore shock absorbers on these platforms.
- How do I know which spring rate is right for my track? — Spring rate selection depends on track conditions and your driving style. The 4.0 lb/in green springs are ideal for rough, technical tracks with lots of elevation changes and jumps. If your track is smoother and more flowing, you might prefer stiffer springs. If the suspension feels harsh and bouncy, or if you're losing grip over bumps, softer springs will help. Many racers keep multiple spring rates available for quick adjustments.
- Are these genuine Team Associated parts? — Yes, as an authorised Team Associated retailer, RC Model Shop stocks only genuine OEM components. You can be confident that these springs meet Team Associated's exacting manufacturing standards and will provide the performance and durability expected from the company's premium product line.
- Can I use these springs on shock absorbers from other manufacturers? — No, these springs are specifically engineered for Team Associated's Big Bore 1:8 shock system. Using them on incompatible shock absorbers would likely result in poor fitment and compromised suspension performance. Always ensure your springs match your specific shock absorber system.
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 Rear Springs V2 Green 4.0 lb/in AS81236 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.
