1:8 scale off road racing is one of the hobby's most challenging disciplines; it requires a high standard and demands attention to detail. The latest development to come from Associated Electrics' Area 51 is designed to push boundaries of performance and build upon the number of accolades accumulated by the RC8 series. (See the listing of notable wins in Manuals & Setups.)
RC8T4e Team Kit Features
Four battery configurations to choose from:
- Two 2s shorty "saddle pack" LiPo batteries for lowest CG and exceptional weight bias
- Two 2s full size "saddle pack" LiPo batteries for using capacity batteries
- One 4s shorty LiPo battery for simplified setup and more centralized weight bias
- One 4s full size LiPo battery for simplified setup and ability to use your existing batteries
Innovative front-end geometry with reduced kingpin inclination steering blocks places the wheel pivot in the center of the front tire for increased stability and consistent steering through the entire steering throw
Paired with a new wider upper suspension arm pivot
New gearboxes are specific to front and rear:
- Front gearbox features a 3.5deg. inclined pinion gear angle to straighten the center driveshaft for increased drivetrain efficiency and reduced phasing and vibration
- Rear gearbox features a 0deg. pinion gear angle and center mounted rear chassis brace mount
- Both gearboxes feature larger bearing sizes over RC8B3. Switching to a 6x13x5mm flanged bearing (from a 6x12x4mm non-flanged) results in longer life of bearings and ring and pinion gears
- Reduced hardware on anti-roll bar cap for easy assembly and maintenance
- Increased strength in common areas of part fatigue; particularly around the pinion gear and outer cap bearing fitment
Updated front upper suspension arm design
- An added molded hinge pin bushing to reduce slop and increase suspension dynamics
- New rear wing mount has adjustable wing angle shims, significant strength improvements, an aerodynamic shape, and extra clearance for shock position adjustment
Two wing height options are available to tune the rear downforce
Three wing angle positions: 0, -2, and -4 deg.
The improved design also secures the wing mounting nuts so that they will not spin in the mount
The four wing mount screws into the rear tower access from the rear end of the buggy for simplified maintenance
New rear wing has more vertical fins for increased straight-line stability, a taller rear wickerbill height for increased downforce, increased strength in various areas to reduce bending fatigue, and dimples on the backside as a template for cutout holes
Two wing buttons are included for additional tuning options: the first is a traditional one-piece flat button and the second is a vertical stabilizing fin for even more straight-line stability
New rear chassis brace has several design features and flex options:
Rear brace is mounted centrally to the gearbox, which reduces material fatigue, centralizes shear forces, and improves the life of rear end drivetrain parts
Has three different chassis flex options using two chassis hole mounting locations
Use both screws (most rigid)
Use one screw, long location
Use one screw, short location (most flexible)
The upper brace joint has two flex tuning options at the gearbox
With included molded inserts that prevent twisting and only allow flex along the centerline pivot of the brace
With optional turnbuckle ball for flex in more degrees of freedom
Removable insert to customize the amount of flex in the brace
New +1mm offset rear hub features a symmetrical left and right common design with axle height inserts for adjustable roll center tuning
The standard bearing size used is an 8x16x5mm flanged but the hub will still accept 15x21x4mm bearing for CVA axle tuning options
New two-piece clamping motor mounts make for secure mounting and allows for mounting of a 30 mm motor fan
The gear mesh is adjusted from the bottom of the chassis, just like RC8T4
New +2 mm taller front shock tower design with updated suspension geometry and body mount positions for all styles of truck bodies
Run a single centered body post mount for "bruggy" type bodies
Run two offset body post mounts for traditional "truggy" type bodies
Run an included top plate mounted body post for bodies utilizing "buggy" front end mounting points
New longer shock shafts and shock rod ends
35.5mm front and 44.5 mm rear shock shafts
0 mm, +2 mm, and +4 mm shock rod ends are included for tuning droop and up-travel for various shock positions
Other New Features
New steering bellcranks with top-mounted steering rack for extra clearance around gearbox assembly
New aluminum steering rack designed around the updated front end geometry is lightweight and durable
New steering bellcrank nuts are longer to reduce drag from the steering rack under flex
Updated steering servo linkage features a new heavy duty threaded ball and steel screw joint
New A and B blue aluminum suspension arm mounts are shaped to interlock with the RC8B4 chassis
New RC8T4e specific 7075 aluminum hard anodized chassis features updates to strengthen the front and rear droop tab areas and an increased width along kick up area
New upper suspension arm link mount is significantly wider than RC8B3 series, providing the required geometry for the new reduced KPI steering blocks
New front chassis brace is the same length as the "short" version from RC8B3 for ideal front end flex
New spring cups and shock rod end design has a locking screw to keep the cups in place during a crash and has improved material; the same tough material as our 1:10 rod ends
New front shock bushings are 1.5mm longer than RC8B3 shock mounts
New rear shock bushings are 4mm longer than RC8B3 shock mounts
Large diameter, Low-Profile SHCS are used throughout the truck to replace a traditional screw/washer system
New exhaust hanger mount and spring
New carbon fiber radio tray brace for repositioned steering servo
New 152mm rear center and RC8B4e 104 mm dog bones (used on the front) with 14mm pins on are now standard equipment for increased drivetrain efficiency
New rod ends have improved thread engagement, slotted area for easy turnbuckle wrench access, and are made from a same durable material as our 1:10 rod ends
New CVA axle has a "stub" design with retainer sleeve to capture pin and uses two 8x16x5mm flanged bearings (the same as the RC8B3 universal axle setup)
New 131 mm CVA bones used on all four corners
New rear shock tower features two built in wing height positions; the RC8T4e "low" is the same height as the RC8T3 "high" and RC8T4 features an additional +5mm height option by adjusting the wing mount adapters, all easily accessed from the rear end of the truck
Standard anti-roll bar sizes include a 2.2mm front and 2.4mm rear bar
Standard shock spring setup includes a yellow 5.7 lb/in rate front and red 4.7 lb/in rate rear spring
RC8T4e TEAM Legacy Features:
+2deg. steering block arms
V3 differentials with 46T ring and 10T pinion gears for improved gear ratios
Includes new updates to HTC sun and planet gears with removed pocketing to extend diff life and improve gear mesh and remain more consistent over long runs
RC8B3.2 side guards that thread into the chassis from the top side of the car
RC8B3.2 split center diff mounts with aluminum center top plate
RC8B3.2 shock caps with stiff molded bladders
RC8B3.2 narrow C and D arm mounts
No body is included with RC8T4e kit. Racers can use AE #81324 RC8T3 body or choose from a variety of current bodies from aftermarket companies.
