Overview
The Team Associated 12mm Big Bore FT Pistons 4 Hole x 1.3mm Tapered (AS91350) represent the pinnacle of shock piston engineering for competitive RC car racing in the UK and beyond. These Factory Team optional components are precision-engineered to deliver superior handling consistency and on-track performance for your 1/10 scale buggy, truck or short-course vehicle. Whether you're a dedicated racer looking to fine-tune your RC car's suspension characteristics or an enthusiast seeking to upgrade your shock system, these CNC-machined pistons offer the precision and tunability that separates winning setups from average ones.
Manufactured by Team Associated, a globally recognised leader in RC racing, these tapered shock pistons are designed specifically for 12mm big-bore shock applications found on many modern 1/10 scale RC buggies and trucks. The four-hole configuration with 1.3mm ports provides a carefully balanced damping characteristic that suits a wide range of track conditions and driving styles. If you're searching for quality RC car suspension upgrades in the UK or looking to improve your vehicle's handling and consistency, these Factory Team pistons deliver factory-backed reliability and performance that you can trust.
What makes these pistons exceptional is their combination of precision manufacturing and intelligent tapered design. Unlike standard flat pistons that behave identically in compression and rebound, the tapered profile of these components allows independent tuning of both directions, giving you granular control over how your shocks respond during acceleration, braking and cornering. This level of control is invaluable whether you're preparing for competition or simply want to maximise the potential of your RC setup.
Key Features
- Precision CNC Machined Construction — Every piston is machined to exacting tolerances using computer numerical control, ensuring tight fitment and excellent concentricity with the shock body, which directly improves handling consistency and predictability on every run.
- Tapered Piston Design — One side of each piston face is flat whilst the other is tapered or angled, allowing the piston to travel at different speeds in compression versus rebound, enabling independent tuning of both directions for perfectly dialled-in suspension behaviour.
- Four 1.3mm Holes — The four ports at 1.3mm diameter provide a specific fluid flow rate that delivers consistent damping whilst allowing enough flow to prevent excessive hydraulic lock, striking an ideal balance for most track conditions.
- Factory Team Specification — These are genuine Team Associated Factory Team optional parts, confirming they meet the exacting standards used by professional racers and competitive drivers worldwide.
- Improved Handling and Consistency — By providing better fitment and concentricity within the shock body, these pistons eliminate variable performance caused by loose tolerances, meaning your RC car responds predictably lap after lap.
- Independent Compression and Rebound Control — The tapered design means you can adjust how quickly your shock compresses under bumps separately from how quickly it rebounds, giving you two independent tuning variables instead of one.
- Compatible with Multiple Associated Models — These 12mm big-bore pistons fit a comprehensive range of Team Associated RC cars, making them a versatile upgrade for owners of SC10, SC10.2, RC10B4 and RC10T series vehicles.
Technical Performance
The Team Associated 12mm Big Bore FT Pistons represent the cutting edge of suspension tuning technology for 1/10 scale RC cars in the UK market. The precision CNC machining process creates pistons with superior fitment tolerances compared to standard pressed or moulded alternatives, eliminating the slight play that can affect handling consistency. The tapered piston geometry is engineered specifically to control fluid flow characteristics differently depending on direction of travel. When the piston travels upward during compression, fluid must flow through the holes at one pressure profile, whilst rebound motion creates a different pressure signature due to the tapered angle. This asymmetrical flow characteristic allows drivers to run faster compression damping without creating excessive pack (the hydraulic lock feeling), whilst maintaining responsive rebound. The four-hole configuration with 1.3mm diameter ports provides moderate flow restriction, suitable for general-purpose racing where you need to balance ground-hugging grip with the ability to absorb large impacts without bottoming out. Each package contains four pistons (one for each wheel's shock), manufactured to identical specifications for perfect consistency across all four corners of your RC vehicle, which is essential for balanced handling.
What's in the Box
- 4x Team Associated 12mm Big Bore FT Tapered Shock Pistons (4-hole, 1.3mm configuration)
Compatibility
- Team Associated SC10
- Team Associated SC10.2
- Team Associated SC10.3
- Team Associated RC10B4.1
- Team Associated RC10B4.2
- Team Associated RC10B44.1
- Team Associated RC10B44.2
- Team Associated RC10T4.1
- Team Associated RC10T4.2
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between tapered and flat pistons for RC shocks? — Flat pistons have identical top and bottom faces, meaning they travel at the same speed in compression and rebound (given equal force). Tapered pistons have one flat side and one angled side, causing them to travel faster in the direction of the taper. This allows independent tuning of compression and rebound behaviour, giving you two tuning parameters instead of one and making tapered pistons the preferred choice for serious racers.
- How do the four 1.3mm holes affect shock performance? — The holes control how quickly fluid can flow through the piston as it moves, which determines damping. Larger holes allow faster fluid flow and faster shock movement, whilst smaller holes restrict flow and slow the shock down. More holes distribute the flow differently than fewer holes. The four 1.3mm holes in this piston provide a balanced damping level that suits general racing without excessive pack or wallowing.
- What is hydraulic pack and why does it matter? — Pack is the feeling of hydraulic lock when fluid flowing through the piston holes reaches high speed and creates back pressure. A small amount of pack helps keep the car from bottoming out during hard landings, but too much pack makes the suspension feel harsh and unpredictable. By using tapered pistons, you can achieve proper pack through taper geometry rather than purely through hole size, giving you more control.
- Are these suitable for beginners or only for competitive racers? — Whilst these Factory Team pistons are used by professional competitors, they benefit any RC driver looking to improve handling consistency and suspension feel. Beginners can upgrade to these pistons once they have a working knowledge of shock tuning concepts, as the independent compression and rebound control requires understanding how each adjustment affects handling.
- Why is CNC machining important for shock pistons? — CNC machining produces pistons with much tighter tolerances and better concentricity (alignment within the shock body) compared to standard manufacturing methods. This eliminates the slight wobble that loose-fitting pistons create, resulting in more consistent and predictable handling from lap to lap.
- Will these pistons fit my RC car? — These pistons are specifically designed for 12mm big-bore shock applications. Check your vehicle's shock specification to confirm you have 12mm big-bore shocks before purchasing. The compatibility list above shows all tested Team Associated models that accept these pistons.
- How many pistons come in a package and how many do I need? — Each package contains four pistons, which is exactly the number needed to upgrade all four shocks on a standard four-wheel RC car. You would typically need one package to fully upgrade your vehicle's suspension.
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 TAPERED AS91350 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: AS91350
- Product Type: 12mm Big Bore Shock Pistons
- Piston Design: Tapered
- Number of Holes: 4
- Hole Diameter: 1.3mm
- Piston Shape: Tapered (one flat side, one tapered/angled side)
- Piston Marking: 2 Dot
- Quantity Included: 4 pistons
- Shock Size: 12mm big-bore
- Manufacturing Process: Precision CNC machined
- Concentricity: Engineered for excellent concentricity with shock body
- Compression Movement Definition: Shock piston travelling upward toward the top of the shock
- Rebound Movement Definition: Shock piston travelling downward toward the bottom of the shock
- Tapered Piston Characteristic: One side of piston face is flat; the other is tapered/angled for independent compression and rebound tuning
- Fluid Flow Characteristic: Larger holes allow more fluid to pass (faster shock movement); smaller holes restrict flow (slower shock movement)
- Pack Control: Multiple holes distribute damping differently than fewer holes, controlling hydraulic lock sensation
- Barcode/UPC: 784695913509
- Compatibility: Team Associated SC10, SC10.2, SC10.3, RC10B4.1, RC10B4.2, RC10B44.1, RC10B44.2, RC10T4.1, RC10T4.2
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