Associated 80949 RC8B4.1 1/8 Scale 4WD Nitro Off-Road Competition Buggy Kit

The next evolution of the 2022 IFMAR World Champion-winning RC8B4 is upon us. Team Associated engineers sought to lower the CG, reduce weight, and improve handling on un-groomed outdoor tracks. As a result, the new RC8B4.1 RWB chassis design has a stiffer tapered profile for predictable high-speed handling, allowing for a softer overall shock package. The suspension is overhauled with new front and rear low-CG shock towers and shorter shocks, along with new 3-hole rear suspension arms that allow for softer shocks and springs while still maintaining support in the fast turns. The new wide base rear hubs come in three fixed axle heights and use 3mm carbon fiber hub towers to allow several different geometry options. Lastly, the buggy comes with 92mm universal joints, 44/13 bevel gears, and a 47T spur gear for the most grip and smoothest power delivery on un-groomed outdoor tracks.

Features
New RC8B4.1 RWB chassis and side guards with tapered chassis design to increase stiffness and predictability
New low CG and lightweight aluminum front and rear shock towers
New shorter 16mm front and rear shock bodies for lower CG and lighter weight
New 6-hole 1.4mm front and 1.5mm taper rear machined shock pistons included with emulsion shock cap seals
New 3-hole rear suspension arms with updated rear anti-roll bar geometry for both smooth and bumpy tracks
New durable rear hub design with wide footprint base, and tuneable 3mm carbon fiber hub towers
New blue aluminum front upper arm mount for added durability
New molded RC8B4.1 front bumper with optimized profile for bumpy transitions
New 47T machined spur gear
44/13 Ring and Pinion Bevel Gear Set
92mm universal driveshafts with 17mm outdrives
Updated Soft Blend suspension arms for maximum durability in cold weather
New +1 aluminum steering block arms for sharper steering on low grip

RC8B4.1 Team Kit Legacy Features
Innovative new pivot ball front suspension geometry improves steering balance and provides predictable handling in all conditions.
RC8B4 8deg. steering blocks are paired with a wider upper suspension arm pivot for increased stability and consistent steering through the entire steering throw.
RC8B4 gearboxes are included in the latest hard material used on RC8T4: 1) Front gearbox features a 3.5deg. inclined pinion gear angle to straighten the center driveshaft for increased drivetrain efficiency and reduced phasing and vibration. 2) Both gearboxes feature large bearing sizes, 6x13x5mm flanged bearing results in longer life of bearings and ring and pinion gears.
Latest version RC8B4 fuel tank with: 1) Flexible rubber lid puller. 2) Updated spring for tight seal between lid and tank.
RC8B4 rear chassis brace has several design features and flex options: Rear brace is mounted centrally to the gearbox, and has two screw locations through the chassis to tune flex.
RC8B4 front upper suspension arms, now in soft blend material. Includes an optional molded "wing" insert for increased front-end downforce.
RC8B4 front lower suspension arms, now in soft blend material. 1) Updated design for added durability. 2) New angled, one-piece, anti-roll bar link is mounted in-line with the anti-roll bar with a BHCS instead of a shock pin for simplified assembly. 3) Optional inserts mount to the top only.
RC8B4 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 on the rear shock tower.
RC8B4 rear wing has more vertical fins for increased straight-line stability, a taller rear lip height for increased downforce, increased strength in various areas to reduce bending fatigue, and dimples on the backside as a template for cutout holes.
RC8B4 steering bellcranks with top-mounted steering rack for extra clearance around gearbox assembly.
RC8B4 aluminum steering rack designed around the updated front end geometry is lightweight and durable
RC8B4 steering bellcrank nuts are longer to reduce drag from the steering rack under flex.
RC8B4 steering servo linkage features a new heavy duty threaded ball-and-steel screw joint.
RC8B4 A and B blue aluminum suspension arm mounts are shaped to interlock with the chassis.
RC8B4 carbon fiber front top plate centralizes the front chassis brace for balanced flex in all directions.
RC8B4 front chassis brace is the same length as the older chassis "short" version for ideal front-end flex.
RC8B4 front body post is recessed into the front top plate and the reversible design is easy to mount.
RC8B4 spring cups and shock rod end design has a locking screw to keep the cups in place during a crash.
RC8B4 steel shock standoffs.
Large diameter, Low-Profile SHCS are used throughout the buggy to replace a traditional screw/washer system. Used on the fuel tank, servo mounts, and rear body post.
New exhaust hanger mount and spring.
New carbon fiber radio tray brace for repositioned steering servo.
93.5mm front and 104mm rear center dog bones with 3x14mm pins for increased drivetrain efficiency.
RC8B4 two-piece rear body post features a rubber grommet to allow some flex to extend the life of the body.
RC8B4 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.
Standard wheel hex sizes include a "+0" mm front and rear.
Standard anti-roll bar sizes include a 2.2mm front and 2.5mm rear bar.
RC8B4 Mu (pronounced "mew") body with RWB trim lines added. Includes three different style of gearbox noses: a traditional nose cone, a mid-height wing, and tall-height wing.
44T ring and 13T pinion gears on front and rear differentials.
RC8B3.2 battery and receiver box with removable transponder mount.
RC8B3.2 split center diff mounts with aluminum center top plate.
16mm shocks equipped with white front (9.25 coil) and pink rear (12.0 coil) springs, emulsion style shock bladder, combination bleeder/emulsion caps, and blue aluminum threaded collars.
RC8B3.2 narrow C and D arm mounts.
4-shoe aluminum clutch with two composite and two aluminum shoes, two 0.95mm and two 1.0mm springs, and steel 13T clutch bell.

Due to ongoing R&D, photos may not match final kit. Vehicle shown on these pages equipped with items NOT included in kit: engine, pipe and header, transponder, servos, receiver, wheels, tires. Assembly and painting required.

Vehicle Specifications
Power Source: Nitro Fuel
Terrain: Off-Road
Body Style: Buggy
Scale Size: 1:8 Scale
Assembly Level: Kit*
Length: 486mm (19.13in)
Width: 304.5mm (11.99in)
Wheelbase: 323mm (12.72in)
Weight: varies
Internal
Gear Ratio: 3.38:1
Drive: 4WD

* This vehicle comes as a kit and must be fully assembled by the user. Electronics and/or an engine/motor may be required.

Required to Complete
.21 class rear exhaust engine.
Exhaust system: muffler and header joining pack, or muffler spring.
2- or 3-channel radio/transmitter set with switch (2.4GHz recommended).
Transmitter batteries.
4.8-7.4v receiver battery. Choose one: 1) Flat style NiMH. 2) Flat style LiPo (#27313 Reedy Lipo Pro TX/RX 2400mAh 7.4v Flat). 3) Flat style LiFe (#27315 Reedy LiFe Pro TX/RX 1600MAh 6.6v Flat).
Fuel bottle (#1747 Fuel Bottle Pro 500cc recommended).
Glow igniter (#27377 Reedy Glow Starter recommended).
Starter box (#1751 FT Starter Box recommended).
Model car fuel (20-30% nitro recommended).
1:8 scale buggy tires.
1:8 scale buggy wheels.
CA (cyanoacrylic) glue (#1597 FT Tire Adhesive recommended).
Polycarbonate-specific spray paint or polycarbonate-specific bottled paint and airbrush.
Thread-locking compound (#1596 FT Locking Adhesive recommended).
Needle-nose pliers.
Hobby knife.
Reamer (#1499) or hole punch for making holes in body.
Ride height gauge.
Steering servo (#27153 RT5012A HV Digital Competition 1:8 Servo).
Throttle servo (#27153 RT5012A HV Digital Competition 1:8 Servo).
Other helpful items: Silicone Shock Fluid. Silicone Diff Fluid. Body Scissors (#1737 recommended). Body Reamer (#1499). Hole Punch for venting tires. Shock Pliers (#1681 FT Shock Shaft Multi Tool). FT Hex Wrenches: #1518, #1506. FT Nut Drivers (#1519 recommended). Hobby Knife. Needle Nose Pliers. Wire Cutters. Calipers or a Precision Ruler. Turnbuckle Wrench (#1114 recommended).