Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 32T 48DP 1/8 Shaft AS1350

Overview

The Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 32T 48DP is a premium upgrade component designed for 1/8-inch motor shafts in competitive and recreational RC cars across the UK. Whether you're running an Associated TC7.1, B6.1, B6.4, T6.4, or any compatible 1/8-scale buggy or touring car, this pinion gear delivers the precision engineering and durability expected from Factory Team hop-up components. As an authorised Associated retailer, RC Model Shop stocks this essential spare part for serious RC enthusiasts who demand consistent performance and reliability from their equipment.

This 32-tooth pinion gear represents a practical middle-ground tooth count within the 48DP range, offering balanced acceleration and top-speed characteristics for a variety of driving conditions. Whether you're preparing your RC car for UK club racing, weekend bashing sessions, or competitive events, replacing worn or damaged pinion gears with genuine Factory Team components ensures your motor meshes correctly with the spur gear and maintains optimal power delivery. The 32T configuration is particularly popular among drivers seeking a versatile setup that doesn't sacrifice either acceleration or top-end performance.

Built to exacting Factory Team standards, this pinion gear combines lightweight construction with exceptional durability, making it an ideal upgrade from standard gears. The hard-anodised finish protects against corrosion and wear, whilst the precision machining ensures smooth, efficient power transfer from your brushless or brushed motor to the drivetrain. For RC car enthusiasts in the UK looking to upgrade their drivetrain components or simply replace a worn pinion, this Associated Factory Team gear is an investment in reliability and performance.

Key Features

• 7075-T6 Aluminium Construction — Machined from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminium, one of the strongest aluminium alloys available, ensuring exceptional durability whilst keeping rotating mass to a minimum for improved acceleration and handling response.
• Hard Anodised Finish — The hard anodising process creates a protective oxide layer on the aluminium surface that resists corrosion, wear from constant mesh contact with the spur gear, and extends the component's service life significantly compared to untreated aluminium.
• Factory Team Hop-Up Component — This is a genuine Factory Team upgrade part, meeting the highest standards for precision manufacturing and quality control, making it the choice of competitive RC drivers and serious hobbyists across Europe.
• Two Set-Screw Holes — The dual set-screw holes provide secure, redundant fastening to your motor shaft, preventing slippage during acceleration and deceleration and ensuring consistent power transmission even under extreme racing loads.
• Laser-Etched Tooth Count — Each gear is precisely laser-etched with the tooth count (32T), allowing you to instantly identify the correct gear in your pit box and speeding up gearbox changes during racing events without confusion or errors.
• Weight Reduction Holes — As a gear in the larger size range (30 teeth and above), this 32T pinion features strategically positioned holes for weight reduction, lowering the rotating inertia of your motor's load and improving throttle response.
• 48DP Pitch Standard — The 48 Diametral Pitch specification ensures compatibility with standard 48DP spur gears used in modern 1/8-scale RC cars, allowing you to experiment with different tooth count combinations for fine-tuning your vehicle's performance characteristics.
• 1/8-Inch Shaft Compatibility — The precisely machined 3.2mm (1/8-inch) bore fits standard motor shafts used in 1/8-scale Associated vehicles, Losi buggies, and other competitive RC cars utilising this motor shaft specification.

Technical Performance

The Associated AS1350 pinion gear is engineered to deliver superior performance in demanding racing and bashing applications. Its 32-tooth configuration represents a popular mid-range option within the 48DP range, striking an excellent balance between acceleration response and top-speed potential. The gear's precision machining ensures perfect tooth geometry, which translates to smooth, efficient power transfer from your brushless or brushed motor to the spur gear and final drive. The use of 7075-T6 aluminium—the same material specification used in aerospace applications—provides tensile strength exceeding 570 MPa, meaning this gear will withstand the shock loads experienced during aggressive acceleration, cornering, and jumping. The hard anodising process adds a wear-resistant surface layer measuring approximately 0.05mm, which not only extends the gear's lifespan but also reduces friction and heat generation at the mesh point with your spur gear. This is particularly important in 1/8-scale buggies and touring cars where high motor speeds and significant torque loads are commonplace. The weight reduction holes featured on this 32T gear help minimise the rotating inertia of your motor's load, allowing your brushless motor to accelerate more quickly and respond more precisely to throttle input. When paired with an appropriately sized spur gear, this pinion will deliver the precise gear mesh necessary for optimal drivetrain efficiency and extended component lifespan. Whether you're running a brushless 4600KV sensored motor or a high-torque 3000KV setup, this pinion gear will perform reliably through countless runs and competition events.

What's in the Box

• Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear, 32T, 48DP, 1/8-inch shaft

What You Need to Complete

• RC car with 1/8-inch motor shaft and 48DP spur gear compatibility (e.g., Associated TC7.2, B6.4, B74.2, T6.4, or compatible Losi, Team Xray models)
• Motor suitable for 48DP pinion gears (brushless or brushed)
• Compatible spur gear in 48DP pitch
• Motor mount system for your specific RC platform
• Motor shaft spacers and fastening hardware (if required for your specific application)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between 48DP and MOD 1 pinion gears? — The 48DP (Diametral Pitch) and MOD 1 (Module) specifications represent different gear classification systems. 48DP gears are commonly used in 1/8-scale RC cars in the UK and Europe, whilst MOD 1 gears are less common in this scale. The AS1350 specifically uses the 48DP specification, making it compatible with standard 48DP spur gears found on most modern Associated buggies and touring cars. When selecting pinion and spur gear combinations, always ensure both components share the same pitch specification (either both 48DP or both MOD 1) to achieve proper mesh and performance.
• How do I choose between different tooth counts like 30T, 32T, and 34T? — The pinion tooth count directly affects your vehicle's gear ratio and performance characteristics. A lower tooth count (like 30T) provides faster acceleration and lower top speed, making it ideal for tight, technical tracks with lots of turning. A higher tooth count (like 34T) reduces acceleration slightly but increases top speed, better suited for open, high-speed courses. The 32T represents an excellent middle ground, offering balanced acceleration and speed for most driving conditions. Your choice should reflect your local track layout, driving style, and motor specifications. Many competitive drivers keep several pinion gears on hand, switching between them depending on track conditions.
• Is this suitable for beginners? — Yes, the Associated Factory Team pinion gear is suitable for beginner RC drivers, though it's important to understand that pinion gears are wear items that occasionally require replacement. Beginners should know how to safely remove and install a pinion gear, as improper installation can cause performance issues. If you're new to RC cars, we recommend learning how to change pinion gears early on, as it's one of the most fundamental maintenance tasks. The precision engineering of this Factory Team component actually makes it an excellent learning tool—its durability means you can focus on proper installation technique rather than worrying about gear damage.
• What is the difference between this and other pinion gears with the same tooth count? — The AS1350 is a Factory Team hop-up component, meaning it's manufactured to higher tolerances and from superior materials compared to standard pinion gears. The 7075-T6 aluminium and hard anodising provide better durability and lower friction than untreated alternatives. Factory Team gears also feature the dual set-screw holes and laser-etched markings that make setup and identification faster and more reliable. Whilst cheaper pinion gears may work initially, the AS1350's superior materials and manufacturing ensure longer service life, better mesh consistency, and more reliable performance—particularly important for competitive RC racing across the UK.
• How often should I replace my pinion gear? — Pinion gear lifespan depends on your driving style, motor power, and maintenance habits. Heavily modified motors, aggressive driving, and poor mesh settings accelerate wear. As a general guide, competitive drivers running high-powered motors may replace pinions every 5-10 hours of driving time, whilst casual drivers might get 20+ hours before replacement becomes necessary. Inspect your pinion regularly for excessive wear, chipping, or damage to the tooth profile. If you notice grinding sounds, slippage, or inconsistent performance, it's time to replace the gear. Keeping spare pinions on hand—especially if you experiment with different tooth counts—is a practical investment for any serious RC enthusiast in the UK.
• Can I use this gear with any motor shaft size? — No, this gear is specifically designed for 1/8-inch (3.2mm) motor shafts. Using it with incorrect shaft sizes will result in either loose, slipping gears or damage to the motor shaft and gear bore. Always verify your motor shaft diameter before ordering. Most modern 1/8-scale RC cars use 1/8-inch shafts, but some older or specialty motors may differ. When in doubt, measure your motor shaft carefully or consult your vehicle's manual and specifications.
• What is the pitch specification and why does it matter? — This gear is 48DP, meaning there are 48 teeth per inch of diameter. This specification must match your spur gear exactly—you cannot mix 48DP pinions with MOD 1 spurs or vice versa. Mismatched pitches result in poor mesh, excessive noise, slippage, and accelerated wear. Always check your spur gear specification before ordering a pinion. If you're unsure about your current spur gear's specification, consult your RC car's manual or contact our knowledgeable team at RC Model Shop—we're here to help ensure you get the perfect fit.

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 32T 48DP 1/8"SHAFT AS1350 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.