Overview
Team Associated Factory Team introduces a revolutionary tuning option for off-road 12mm shocks with the FT 12mm V2 Shock Pistons. These premium shock pistons represent a significant advancement in suspension tuning for RC buggy enthusiasts throughout the UK and beyond. Whether you're competing in club races or tackling challenging outdoor terrain, these Factory Team components deliver the precision engineering and performance tuning that serious RC car UK users demand. The new 2mm thickness V2 shock pistons are specifically engineered to decrease damping and pack compared to the standard 2.5mm thickness kit counterparts, offering racers and weekend bashers alike an advanced tuning solution that adapts to a wide range of track conditions and driving styles.
If you're running a modern Team Associated RC buggy like the RC10B74.1, RC10B6.2, RC10T6.2, or RC10SC6.2, these shock pistons represent an investment in your vehicle's handling characteristics and overall performance. The V2 design philosophy behind these pistons is straightforward yet effective: by reducing the overall thickness from the standard 2.5mm to just 2mm, Team Associated engineers have created a component that allows faster fluid flow through your shock absorbers while simultaneously reducing pack (the rate of resistance experienced during impacts). This means your RC buggy will absorb bumps more effectively, maintain better traction on challenging surfaces, and provide a more forgiving overall driving experience.
Team Associated is a globally recognised brand in the RC hobby, renowned for producing competition-grade components that perform at the highest levels of off-road RC racing. These Factory Team 12mm V2 Shock Pistons embody that same commitment to quality and performance. RC Model Shop is proud to stock these genuine Factory Team parts, ensuring you receive authentic components engineered to Factory Team specifications.
Key Features
- 2mm Thickness V2 Design — The thinner piston profile compared to standard 2.5mm pistons reduces damping and pack, allowing fluid to flow more freely through your shock absorber during suspension compression and extension, resulting in improved bump absorption on jumps and rough sections of track.
- 2-Hole Valving System — The proven 2-hole valving configuration maintains the same reliable flow characteristics as standard pistons whilst working in harmony with the thinner 2mm profile to deliver smooth, predictable damping characteristics across a wide range of track conditions.
- Improved Bump Absorption — By decreasing pack and allowing faster fluid flow, these pistons excel at absorbing impacts from jumps and bumpy terrain, which translates directly to better traction and a less "packed" feeling that can be tuned for maximum performance on your chosen track surface.
- Enhanced Traction Characteristics — The reduced pack and improved damping characteristics result in a subtle but measurable shift toward more traction, helping your RC buggy maintain grip on low-traction dirt tracks and high-traction surfaces with significant bump profiles.
- Wide Tuning Range — These pistons open up new tuning possibilities by allowing you to adjust shock oil viscosity upwards by approximately 2.5 to 5 weight (for example, from 30wt to 32.5wt or 35wt), maintaining composure in bumps whilst fine-tuning responsiveness to suit your specific driving style and track conditions.
- Lighter, More Forgiving Feel — Compared to the standard 2.5mm thickness pistons included with current Team Associated kits, the 2mm V2 design delivers a noticeably less responsive, more composed feel that many drivers prefer when running lightweight LCG batteries or when seeking improved handling on high-grip surfaces.
- Factory Team Quality Manufacturing — These pistons are manufactured to Factory Team specifications, ensuring consistency, durability and performance that aligns with Team Associated's reputation for producing competition-grade RC components trusted by racers worldwide.
- Compatible with Multiple RC Platforms — These 2mm pistons are designed to fit a comprehensive range of Team Associated RC buggies, making them an accessible upgrade for owners of current and previous generation models in the RC10 family.
Technical Performance
The Team Associated FT 12mm V2 Shock Pistons represent a carefully engineered solution to fine-tuning suspension response in modern off-road RC buggies. The core technical advantage lies in the reduced piston thickness of 2mm compared to the standard 2.5mm, which fundamentally alters how shock oil flows through the piston's 2-hole valving system. When your RC buggy hits a bump or lands from a jump, the shock absorber must compress rapidly, forcing oil through the piston orifices. A thinner piston creates less resistance to this flow, which is why these pistons are described as reducing "pack" — the rate of resistance that creates that stiff, packed sensation in standard setups. By allowing faster fluid flow, the shock can compress and extend more freely, absorbing energy more efficiently and delivering a smoother, more predictable handling characteristic. The engineering principle is elegant: less pack equals less resistance, which equals better bump absorption and improved traction as the tyre maintains contact with the track surface for longer periods. This technical refinement is particularly valuable on rough, bumpy tracks where standard 2.5mm pistons might cause the chassis to feel harsh or unstable. The 2-hole valving configuration has been proven in competition racing for years, and by pairing this proven valve design with the thinner 2mm profile, Team Associated has created a piston that delivers both reliability and enhanced performance. For drivers running lightweight LCG batteries, which naturally reduce overall vehicle weight and increase responsiveness, these pistons provide an ideal counterbalance, taming the heightened sensitivity whilst maintaining the benefits of lower unsprung weight. The ability to increase shock oil viscosity by 2.5 to 5 weight (up to +5wt) whilst maintaining excellent bump absorption represents sophisticated suspension engineering — most pistons lose bump absorption when oil is thickened, but the 2mm V2 design allows thick oil to work effectively, giving you comprehensive tuning flexibility. These are genuine Factory Team components, not aftermarket approximations, ensuring the precision engineering and material quality you expect from Team Associated's competition division.
What's in the Box
- Team Associated FT 12mm V2 Shock Pistons (2mm thickness, 2x1.7mm 2-hole valving)
Compatibility Guide
- Team Associated RC10B74.1
- Team Associated RC10B74.1D
- Team Associated RC10B6.2
- Team Associated RC10B6.2D
- Team Associated RC10T6.2
- Team Associated RC10SC6.2
- Older Team Associated RC10B6 series models
When to Use 2mm Pistons vs Standard 2.5mm Pistons
Choose the optional 2mm thickness pistons when you want:
- Less pack and improved bump absorption for a more forgiving chassis feel
- Increased grip on low-traction dirt tracks where subtle improvements in traction are crucial
- Better suspension composure on high-traction tracks with significant bump profiles
- A smoother, less responsive overall feel, particularly when using lightweight LCG batteries that would otherwise make the car hyperresponsive
- Maximum tuning flexibility with the ability to run thicker shock oil (up to +5wt) without sacrificing bump handling
Use the standard 2.5mm thickness pistons (included with current Team Associated kits) when you want:
- Maximum pack and higher responsiveness for a more direct, reactive feel
- Greater resistance during suspension compression for controlled, aggressive driving styles
- A baseline platform for comparing different piston thickness options
Tuning Recommendations
Team Associated engineers recommend increasing your shock oil viscosity by approximately 2.5 to 5 weight when upgrading to these 2mm pistons. For example, if you were running 30-weight shock oil with standard 2.5mm pistons, consider stepping up to 32.5-weight or 35-weight oil with the 2mm V2 pistons. This upward adjustment in viscosity works harmoniously with the thinner piston design, allowing you to run thicker oil whilst maintaining excellent composure and bump absorption. The result is a suspension setup that feels more composed during aggressive driving whilst still delivering the improved bump absorption characteristics that these pistons are engineered to provide. This tuning approach is particularly effective for drivers seeking that "Goldilocks" sweet spot of responsiveness and forgiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between 2mm and 2.5mm shock pistons for RC buggies? — The primary difference is thickness: 2mm pistons allow faster fluid flow through your shock's 2-hole valving system, reducing pack (resistance) and creating a less stiff, more forgiving suspension feel with improved bump absorption. The 2.5mm pistons are standard on current Team Associated kits and deliver higher pack and responsiveness. The 2mm option is ideal if you want a smoother, more composed handling characteristic, particularly on rough tracks or when running lightweight batteries.
- Will 2mm pistons fit my RC10B6.2 or RC10T6.2? — Yes, these Team Associated FT 12mm V2 Shock Pistons are specifically engineered for off-road 12mm shocks and are fully compatible with the RC10B74.1, RC10B74.1D, RC10B6.2, RC10B6.2D, RC10T6.2, RC10SC6.2, and older RC10B6 series models. Always verify your shock absorber diameter before purchasing.
- How do I know if I should upgrade to 2mm pistons? — Consider upgrading to 2mm pistons if: you want better bump absorption on rough tracks; you're running a lightweight LCG battery and want to calm down the increased responsiveness; you're racing on high-grip tracks with significant bumps and prefer a more forgiving feel; or you want to experiment with thicker shock oil for improved control. Current Team Associated kits include 2.5mm pistons, so these represent an optional upgrade.
- What shock oil should I use with 2mm pistons? — Team Associated recommends increasing your shock oil viscosity by approximately 2.5 to 5 weight compared to what you used with 2.5mm pistons. For example, increase from 30-weight to 32.5-weight or 35-weight. The thicker oil works harmoniously with the thinner 2mm piston profile, allowing excellent composure in bumps whilst maintaining the improved bump absorption that these pistons deliver.
- Are these genuine Factory Team components? — Yes, these are authentic Team Associated FT 12mm V2 Shock Pistons manufactured to Factory Team specifications. They are not aftermarket approximations. Team Associated Factory Team is the factory racing division of Team Associated and produces competition-grade components used by professional racers.
- Can I use 2mm pistons if I run standard weight shock oil? — Whilst you can use 2mm pistons with standard weight oil, Team Associated engineers recommend increasing oil viscosity by 2.5 to 5 weight for optimal performance. Running the thicker oil allows you to experience the full benefit of the improved bump absorption whilst maintaining proper suspension composure.
- How do 2mm pistons affect my RC buggy's handling? — You should notice reduced pack (less stiff feeling), improved bump absorption on jumps and rough sections, subtle improvement in traction, and an overall more forgiving, less hyperresponsive chassis feel. The magnitude of these changes depends on your current setup, track conditions, and driving style, but most drivers report a noticeable difference in suspension smoothness and composure.
- Are these suitable for beginners? — These shock pistons are intermediate-to-advanced tuning components best suited to drivers with some experience in suspension setup and tuning. Beginners should start with the standard 2.5mm pistons included with Team Associated kits and graduate to the 2mm V2 option as they develop their tuning knowledge. However, if you're an experienced RC car UK enthusiast stepping up from a basic buggy, these pistons represent an excellent upgrade that immediately improves handling.
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 FT 12mm V2 SHOCK PISTONS 2MM 2x1.7MM AS91897 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
- Product Type: Factory Team Shock Pistons
- Model Number: AS91897
- Barcode: 784695918979
- Shock Diameter: 12mm
- Piston Thickness: 2mm
- Valving Configuration: 2-hole
- Valve Sizing: 2x1.7mm
- Shock Type: Off-road 12mm shocks
- Design Generation: V2
- Primary Benefit: Decreased damping and pack compared to standard 2.5mm pistons
- Fluid Flow Characteristic: Faster fluid flow than standard pistons
- Pack Reduction: Reduces pack (increased rate of resistance) compared to 2.5mm pistons
- Recommended Oil Adjustment: +2.5wt to +5wt increase in shock oil viscosity (e.g., 30wt to 32.5wt or 35wt)
- Compatibility: RC10B74.1, RC10B74.1D, RC10B6.2, RC10B6.2D, RC10T6.2, RC10SC6.2, and older RC10B6 series models
- Intended Use Cases: Low-traction dirt tracks, high-traction tracks with bumps, lightweight LCG battery setups, off-road buggy suspension tuning
- Comparison Baseline: Current Team Associated kits include 2.5mm thickness 2-hole pistons for performance comparison
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