Overview
The Team Associated RC8B3.2/RC8B3.2e FT Front Upper Suspension Arms HD (AS81443) are an optional upgrade component designed specifically for competitive 1/8 scale RC buggies. If you're running an RC8B3.2 or RC8B3.2e and looking to enhance your suspension performance and durability, these Factory Team specification arms represent a significant step up from standard components. These are not merely replacement parts — they are engineered upgrades that have been proven in competition by Team Associated's professional drivers, making them an excellent choice for serious RC enthusiasts across the UK who demand the best performance from their RC car setup.
Made from an updated HD (Heavy Duty) polymer material, these front upper suspension arms provide a noticeably stiffer platform for your suspension geometry to work with, which translates directly into more predictable handling and improved responsiveness during both tight indoor tracks and outdoor circuit racing. The HD material construction has been specifically formulated for 1/8 scale vehicles and has earned its place in top-tier competition through real-world testing by Team Associated drivers. Whether you're preparing for a club race, practising on your local RC track, or simply want the best possible performance from your RC buggy, these Factory Team arms deliver the quality and durability expected from an authorised Team Associated component.
For those shopping for RC car upgrades in the UK, upgrading to these HD polymer suspension arms is a smart investment that improves both the stiffness of your suspension platform and the longevity of critical suspension components. The visible competition heritage — Spencer Rivkin's success with this material at major events including the Southern Indoor Championships and the Dirt Nitro Challenge — provides real-world proof that these arms perform under pressure.
Key Features
- Updated HD (Heavy Duty) Polymer Construction — The arms are manufactured from Team Associated's advanced HD polymer material, which has been engineered to provide enhanced rigidity and durability compared to standard polymer suspension arms, ensuring your RC buggy maintains consistent performance lap after lap.
- Stiffer Suspension Platform — By increasing the stiffness of the front upper suspension arms, the geometry works more effectively and provides a firmer foundation for your suspension to function, resulting in more predictable and responsive handling characteristics across various track conditions.
- Increased Durability of Arm and Insert Plate — The HD polymer material resists wear and deformation more effectively than standard materials, meaning your suspension arms and their insert plates will maintain their integrity through extended use, reducing the need for frequent replacement and saving you money over time.
- Factory Team Specification — These are not aftermarket approximations; they are genuine Factory Team components engineered by Team Associated's race team for ultimate performance, ensuring compatibility and quality that matches the original engineering specifications of your RC8B3.2 or RC8B3.2e buggy.
- Competition-Proven Material — Team driver Spencer Rivkin has run these HD material arms at several major events, including taking second place at the Southern Indoor Championships in January 2021 and third place in electric buggy at the Dirt Nitro Challenge, providing proven real-world performance validation.
- Direct Fitment for RC8B3.2 and RC8B3.2e — These arms are specifically designed for the RC8B3.2 and RC8B3.2e 1/8 scale buggies, ensuring perfect fit and alignment without requiring any modifications or additional components.
Technical Performance
The RC8B3.2/RC8B3.2e FT Front Upper Suspension Arms HD represent a purposeful engineering upgrade focused on suspension performance and component durability. Manufactured from Team Associated's proprietary HD polymer formulation, these arms are engineered specifically for 1/8 scale vehicles and deliver a noticeably stiffer suspension platform compared to standard polymer alternatives. It is important to note that whilst these HD arms provide enhanced stiffness for 1/8 scale applications, they are not as rigid as the hard or carbon fibre materials used in the 1/10 scale series — this distinction is crucial because the suspension geometry and overall vehicle balance of 1/8 buggies require suspension components engineered within this specific performance envelope. The increased stiffness improves suspension response and consistency, allowing your RC buggy's suspension geometry to work more effectively throughout the suspension travel range. Additionally, the HD polymer construction provides superior resistance to the wear and impact forces that accumulate during competitive racing, extending the service life of both the arms themselves and the insert plates that interface with the suspension geometry. For drivers preparing their RC buggy for club races, indoor championship events, or serious practice sessions on demanding UK RC tracks, this upgrade provides measurable improvements in handling consistency and component longevity that justify the investment.
What's in the Box
- Team Associated RC8B3.2/RC8B3.2e FT Front Upper Suspension Arms HD (pair)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between HD polymer and standard polymer suspension arms for RC buggies? — The HD (Heavy Duty) polymer material used in these Factory Team arms is stiffer and more durable than standard polymer suspension arms, providing a firmer platform for your suspension to work with and improved resistance to wear and deformation. This results in more consistent handling and longer component lifespan, making them an upgrade worth considering for competitive racing or serious weekend bashing.
- Are these arms suitable for both RC8B3.2 and RC8B3.2e buggies? — Yes, these FT Front Upper Suspension Arms HD are designed to fit both the RC8B3.2 (nitro-powered) and RC8B3.2e (electric) versions of the Team Associated 1/8 scale buggy, making them a versatile upgrade regardless of which powertrain you're running.
- Has this component been tested in competition? — Absolutely. Team Associated driver Spencer Rivkin has used these HD material suspension arms at multiple major events, including achieving second place at the Southern Indoor Championships in January 2021 and third place in the electric buggy category at the Dirt Nitro Challenge, providing real-world proof of performance at the highest competitive levels.
- How does the stiffness of these 1/8 scale arms compare to 1/10 scale hard or carbon arms? — The HD material in these arms is specifically formulated for 1/8 scale vehicles and is not as stiff as the hard or carbon fibre materials used in 1/10 scale suspensions. This is by design — 1/8 scale buggies require suspension components engineered within a specific stiffness range to maintain proper suspension geometry and overall vehicle balance. Using 1/10 scale materials would make these arms too rigid for correct 1/8 scale performance.
- Will upgrading to these arms improve my RC buggy's handling? — Yes, upgrading to these Factory Team HD polymer arms will provide a noticeably stiffer suspension platform, which improves handling consistency and responsiveness. You should experience more predictable cornering, better suspension feel, and improved lap-to-lap consistency, particularly noticeable on high-speed sections and technical tracks.
- Are these arms easy to install on my RC8B3.2 or RC8B3.2e? — These are direct replacement front upper suspension arms designed specifically for the RC8B3.2 and RC8B3.2e, so installation should be straightforward for anyone familiar with basic RC buggy maintenance. If you're unsure, our team at RC Model Shop is happy to provide guidance or assistance.
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/RC8B3.2e FT FRONT UPPER SUSPENSION ARMS HD AS81443 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: AS81443
- Barcode: 784695814431
- Component Type: Front Upper Suspension Arms
- Compatibility: RC8B3.2, RC8B3.2e (1/8 scale)
- Material: HD (Heavy Duty) Polymer
- Specification: Factory Team (FT)
- Material Note: Specific to 1/8 vehicles; not as stiff as hard or carbon materials used in 1/10 series
- Key Benefit: Provides stiffer platform for suspension performance
- Key Benefit: Increased durability of arm and insert plate
- Competition Proven: Used by Team Associated driver Spencer Rivkin
- Notable Results: Second place Southern Indoor Championships January 2021 (Spencer Rivkin), Third place electric buggy Dirt Nitro Challenge (Spencer Rivkin)
- Quantity Included: Pair (left and right arms)
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.