Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 34T 48DP 1/8 Shaft AS1352

Overview

The Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 34T 48DP is a premium upgrade component designed for RC enthusiasts who demand superior performance and durability from their RC car UK setups. This lightweight pinion gear replaces standard steel versions, offering measurable improvements in acceleration response, weight distribution, and overall drivetrain efficiency. Whether you're running a brushless RC buggy, competition-grade RC truck, or dedicated racing platform, this Factory Team component is engineered to deliver the precision and reliability that serious RC hobbyists expect from Associated's Factory Team product line.

Manufactured from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminium, this 34T pinion gear represents a significant step up from entry-level plastic alternatives. The hard-anodised finish provides exceptional corrosion resistance and durability, ensuring your investment remains protected through countless hours of bashing, racing, and competitive driving. RC car UK buyers appreciate the attention to detail that Associated brings to every component, and this pinion gear exemplifies that commitment to excellence. The 34-tooth configuration at 48 diametral pitch (DP) makes this gear compatible with a wide range of popular RC vehicles, from touring cars to off-road buggies and trucks.

This is far more than just a replacement gear—it's a genuine Factory Team hop-up that will transform how your RC responds to throttle input. The lightweight construction reduces unsprung mass in your drivetrain, allowing your motor to accelerate the spur gear more efficiently and deliver power to the wheels with greater immediacy. For competitive racers and experienced bashers looking to extract every advantage from their RC setup, this pinion gear is an essential upgrade that should be in your spares box.

Key Features

• Factory Team Hop-up Designation — This component carries the prestigious Factory Team badge from Associated, indicating it has been engineered and tested to the same standards used by the company's factory racing team, ensuring you receive competition-grade quality in a spare part.
• 7075-T6 Aluminium Construction — Manufactured from aerospace-spec aluminium alloy, this material offers an optimal balance between weight reduction and strength, providing better durability than standard plastic pinions while keeping mass to an absolute minimum for improved acceleration.
• Hard-Anodised Finish — The surface treatment creates a protective oxide layer that resists corrosion, salt damage, and wear, extending the service life of the gear substantially compared to untreated aluminium and ensuring reliable performance season after season.
• Laser-Etched Tooth Count — Clear, permanent marking of the tooth count (34T) is etched directly onto the gear surface, making identification quick and easy during setup changes, spare parts management, and maintenance routines, reducing the risk of accidentally installing the wrong gear.
• Two Set-Screw Holes — The dual set-screw mounting system provides secure, redundant fastening to your motor shaft, preventing gear slip during hard acceleration or cornering and ensuring consistent power delivery under all driving conditions.
• Weight Reduction Holes — As a larger 30T-and-up sized pinion, this gear includes strategically-positioned holes drilled through the hub area, shaving additional grams from the overall weight without compromising structural integrity, resulting in faster throttle response and improved energy efficiency.
• 3.2mm Bore (1/8 Inch Shaft) — The precisely-machined bore accommodates standard 1/8-inch motor shafts found on virtually all modern RC car motors, ensuring hassle-free installation without modification or adapters required.

Technical Performance

The 34-tooth configuration at 48 diametral pitch represents a carefully balanced specification that works across numerous RC vehicle platforms. The 48DP standard is the industry norm for 1/8-scale and most touring-car applications, making this gear universally compatible with spur gears and differential assemblies from leading manufacturers. The aluminium construction delivers measurable weight savings—typically 30-40 percent lighter than equivalent steel gears—which translates to noticeably quicker acceleration and improved motor responsiveness during aggressive driving. The hard-anodised surface finish has been proven to withstand hundreds of hours of use without visible wear or degradation, maintaining smooth meshing with your spur gear throughout the lifespan of the component. The precision manufacturing tolerances ensure dead-straight tooth profiles that mesh perfectly with standard 48-pitch spur gears, eliminating the gear noise and mesh inconsistency sometimes associated with lower-quality alternatives. For RC car UK racers running brushless motors with high-speed ESCs, the lightweight design permits your motor to accelerate the gear more efficiently, resulting in lower current draw and extended runtime on battery packs. The weight reduction holes positioned throughout the larger diameter of the gear further improve rotational dynamics without sacrificing the strength required for high-performance applications.

What's in the Box

• 1 × Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear, 34T 48DP with 3.2mm (1/8 inch) bore

What You Need to Complete

• Motor with 1/8-inch shaft and 48DP spur gear compatibility
• Two metric set screws (typically M2 or M2.5 depending on your motor shaft collar design)
• Small hex wrench or Allen key set for set-screw installation
• Compatible RC vehicle chassis with 48-pitch drivetrain system

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between this 34T pinion and other tooth counts available? — The tooth count determines your final gear ratio when paired with your spur gear. A 34T pinion offers a more aggressive acceleration curve compared to larger tooth counts (35T and above) while sacrificing some top speed, making it ideal for technical courses and indoor racing. Smaller tooth counts (33T and below) provide even quicker acceleration for tight, short-course environments. Your choice depends on your track layout and driving style.
• Will this pinion gear fit my RC car UK setup? — This gear is compatible with any RC vehicle using a standard 1/8-inch motor shaft and 48-diametral-pitch drivetrain system. This includes most Associated models, many Losi vehicles, and numerous other brands using industry-standard motor specifications. Always verify your motor shaft diameter and your spur gear pitch before purchasing to ensure compatibility.
• Is this suitable for beginners? — Whilst this is a high-quality component, pinion gear selection and installation requires understanding basic RC mechanics and familiarity with your vehicle's drivetrain. Beginners should consult their vehicle's manual or seek advice before making gear changes, as incorrect installation or selection can affect performance and drivability.
• How much performance improvement will I notice? — The weight reduction alone typically results in slightly quicker acceleration response and marginally improved runtime compared to steel pinions. The aluminium construction also reduces drivetrain inertia, meaning your motor has less mass to spin, allowing throttle commands to be executed more sharply. The magnitude of improvement depends on your specific setup, but most drivers report noticeable benefits in acceleration feel and overall responsiveness.
• How does the hard-anodised finish improve durability? — The anodised coating creates a microscopically thick protective layer that prevents corrosion from moisture, salt spray, and acidic sweat. This treatment significantly extends gear life in both indoor and outdoor environments, particularly for RC enthusiasts in the UK where humidity and salt conditions are common concerns.
• Can I use this pinion with different spur gear sizes? — Yes, the 34T pinion at 48DP will mesh correctly with any 48-pitch spur gear regardless of the spur tooth count. However, changing the spur gear size will alter your final drive ratio and performance characteristics. Consult your vehicle's tuning guide or manufacturer recommendations for the optimal spur-to-pinion combination for your driving style and track conditions.

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 34T 48DP 1/8" SHAFT AS1352 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.