RC Car Upgrades & Parts: Boost Speed and Control

Get the best RC car upgrades and parts to boost your vehicle’s speed, durability, and performance with top accessories and trucks options.

Let's be real: stock RC cars are just a starting point. I've seen countless beginners disappointed when their shiny new RTR car breaks after the first decent jump or gets smoked by a modified car on the straightaway. That’s because they’re never meant for rigors of long-term use.

Look, we at EuroRC have broken more parts than we'd like to admit and wasted money on "upgrades" that weren't worth it. But after 12+ years of racing and countless hours in the pits, we know which mods actually make your car better and which ones are just eye candy.

This guide will show you which upgrades give you the biggest bang for your buck, how to install them without screwing up your car, and which ones match your driving style.

How to Upgrade Your RC Car (Actually Useful Guide)

I see too many people throwing random "cool" parts at their cars without any plan. Then they wonder why they're still slow or still breaking parts.

The fact of the matter is that upgrading your RC car requires a concrete strategy that logically starts someone.

Here’s the step-by-step process on how to achieve this:

Step 1: Find Your Car's Actual Weaknesses

Different RC cars have different factory flaws.

Your first job is figuring out which ones are holding you back:

• Traxxas models typically have decent electronics but weak suspension parts
• ARMMA vehicles are usually tough but come with mediocre tires
• Entry-level cars almost always have garbage bearings that sap power

Mind you, these are just the common things to look out for.

Just because your RC car doesn't exhibit any of these weaknesses doesn't mean upgrades are unnecessary.

To find out for sure, drive the hell out of your car for a few weeks.

Push it hard.

Jump it.

Race it.

The parts that fail or the handling quirks that bug you are telling you exactly what needs upgrading first.

Quick tip: Take photos of broken parts. After a while, you'll notice patterns that point to underlying weaknesses you might miss otherwise.

Step 2: Pick Upgrades That Match Your Driving

I cringe when I see people putting racing-grade servos on bash trucks or aluminum everywhere on a race car.

Why? Because they're upgrading without understanding their actual needs.

Understanding your driving style is crucial because the wrong upgrade can actually make your car worse. A precision racing servo will snap instantly on a basher, while heavy aluminum parts will kill a race car's handling.

Know your driving style and upgrade accordingly:

• Speed freaks: Focus on cooling as much as power. That 6S LiPo setup is useless when your motor thermal-shuts down after 3 minutes. Heat sinks and fans are mandatory, not optional.
• Bashers: Don't waste money on precision components. You need beef. Start with driveshafts and bulkheads. Pro tip: TPU 3D-printed parts often outlast aluminum for bash vehicles because they flex instead of bend.
• Racers: Forget fancy bodies and focus on consistency. A perfectly tuned stock car beats an inconsistent modified one every time. Upgrade suspension first, then drivetrain smoothness.
• Scale crawlers: Weight distribution matters more than raw power. Brass parts in the right places will transform your crawler's ability far more than an expensive motor.

If you've got $100 to spend, one perfect upgrade beats five mediocre ones every time.

Step 3: Don't Screw Up the Installation

Why do people ruin good parts with bad installation?

Maybe they didn't follow the instructions properly.

It could also be that they don't know any better.

Or they probably got some bad advice (something that you won't hear from Euro RC.

Either way, you can't skimp on installation. Getting it right once will be key for your RC car upgrade to run smoothly (pun intended).

Here are some hard-learned tips to get you started:

• Buy decent tools. Those screwdrivers that came with your car? Garbage. Get proper hex drivers.
• Blue thread locker is your friend on METAL-TO-METAL connections only. Never use it on plastic.
• Check for binding after any suspension or drivetrain work. Parts should move freely.
• Test after EACH upgrade, not just at the end. When something goes wrong (and it will), you'll know exactly which part caused it.

A common mistake? Over-tightening.

RC car screws only need to be snug, not cranked down until your knuckles turn white.

Performance Upgrades That Actually Work

Quality beats quantity every single time.

After thousands of dollars spent testing upgrades (both our money and customers' feedback), certain modifications consistently deliver real results versus marketing hype.

Battery Upgrades (The Best Bang for Your Buck)

Nothing transforms an RC car faster than a good LiPo battery.

Dead-slow stock trucks become tire-shredding monsters with this one change.

Why LiPos crush stock NiMH batteries:

• Instant power delivery when you need it (no more sluggish hill climbs)
• About half the weight (suddenly your car handles way better)
• Run times that don't leave you walking back to the pits after 5 minutes
• Consistent power output from start to finish (no more gradual slowdown)

Quick safety note: LiPos aren't toys. They can literally catch fire if mistreated. Get a proper charger with balance capabilities, never puncture them, and for crying out loud, don't leave them charging unattended.

Store them at storage voltage (3.8V per cell) if you're not using them within a day or two.

Euro RC's Handpicked Battery Upgrades:

The 2S LiPo Battery packs provide an immediate performance boost without requiring any other modifications. Just swap one in and you'll wonder if someone secretly upgraded your motor too.

For more serious power, check out the 3S LiPo options, but just make sure your electronics can handle the extra voltage first.

Motor & ESC Upgrades (When You're Ready for Serious Speed)

Brushless motor systems aren't just faster than brushed motors. Rather, they're fundamentally different technology.

The difference is incremental and transformational, both at the same time:

• Speed increases of 50-100% are common (not exaggerating). Your "fast" brushed car suddenly feels like it's stuck in molasses.
• Batteries last nearly twice as long per charge because brushless motors are incredibly efficient.
• No more replacing motor brushes every few months. Brushless motors have no physical contact between moving parts.
• They run cooler, which means less thermal shutdown during long runs. More consistent performance throughout your entire battery pack.

Of course, just because they're fast doesn't mean you should automatically upgrade your RC's motor.

Always consider your comfort levels when it comes to controlling your RC cars, at least for now.

For competitive RC racers? This is your ticket to consistently hitting the podium!

Now, here's what most guides won't tell you: Cheap brushless setups are often WORSE than good brushed systems. The $30 motor/ESC combo from that random online store? It'll probably fry itself within a month.

This is one area where quality matters.

Oh, and you absolutely need to match your ESC to your motor specs! A 3650-sized motor with a 60A ESC is a solid starting point for most 1/10 scale cars.

When shopping for electric motors, look for ones with proper cooling features and quality bearings. For serious racers, consider a matched ESC/motor combo to ensure perfect compatibility and optimal performance.

Traxxas owners will find the path to brushless power much easier with model-specific upgrades like those for the Rustler XL-5, which are designed as direct drop-in replacements with no modification required.

Tires and Wheels (The Most Overlooked Upgrade)

"I can't believe how different my car handles!"

That's what customers tell me after a proper tire upgrade.

The reaction is always the same because nothing affects your RC car's performance more dramatically than where the rubber meets the road.

The stock tires that came with your car? Almost certainly garbage.

Manufacturers throw on the cheapest tires they can find, expecting you to upgrade them.

• The secret to tire performance lies in matching tread patterns to your surface. It’s not how expensive the tires are, but rather, it’s all about getting the right ones for your RC car. This way, you'll shave seconds off your lap times immediately.
• For clay track surfaces, you want wheels with mini-pins or step pins as tread patterns. These provide the perfect balance of grip and steering response. Among the various tire upgrades available, you can't go wrong with the Pro-Line Electrons. Night and day difference, I'm telling ya!
• Loose dirt or grass surfaces demand aggressive, widely-spaced lugs. Those tiny treads on your stock tires just clog up instantly on rough terrain.The bigger gaps allow the tire to self-clean as you drive.
• Running on pavement and concrete? Slicks aren't just for looks. The increased contact patch can double your cornering speed compared to treaded tires on smooth surfaces.
• For carpet tracks, soft compound mini-spikes are your best friend. The softer rubber conforms to the carpet fibers for maximum grip, though they'll wear out faster than hard compounds.
• Compounds matter more than most people realize. Softer compounds grip better but wear out quicker. For weekend fun, go soft. For longevity, medium compounds are your friend.

Browse through our selection of tires and wheels to find the perfect match for your driving surface. If you're just looking to change the appearance of your car without replacing the rubber, check out our stylish wheel options that can completely transform your RC's look.

Durability Upgrades (Because Breaking Parts Sucks)

Nothing ruins a good RC session faster than the dreaded "crack" sound followed by a limping car.

These upgrades keep you driving instead of fixing.

Suspension and Shocks (Stop Bouncing Around Like a Pogo Stick)

Stock plastic shocks filled with... air?

Really?

That's what many RTR cars come with. No wonder they handle like shopping carts with wobbly wheels.

Good aluminum oil-filled shocks completely transform your driving experience:

• Jump landings become controlled instead of chaotic bounce-fests
• Cornering improves because your tires actually stay planted
• Your car stops bottoming out on every little bump
• You can tune handling with different oil weights (pro tip: heavier oil for smooth tracks, lighter for rough terrain)

Investing in quality shock absorbers is one of the smartest upgrades you can make. For more serious terrain, consider upgrading to big bore shocks that offer greater oil capacity and more precise damping control.

Drivetrain and Steering Parts (Boring but Critical)

These aren't the sexy upgrades that make people go "wow" when they see your car. But they're the difference between finishing a race day and walking home with a box of parts.

However, there’s one thing you must know: upgrading to a brushless motor without strengthening your drivetrain is just asking for stripped gears and broken dogbones.

Power is worthless if it can't get to the ground.

The smart upgrades that nobody talks about enough:

• Metal gear servos: Plastic gears strip. Always. It's not if, but when. A high-quality servo with metal gears saves money in the long run and provides much more precise steering.
  Ball bearings everywhere: Those plastic bushings in your stock kit? They're literally robbing you of power and battery life. Replace them with quality bearings for better efficiency and longer component life.
• Hardened steel drive shafts: Stronger driveline components can handle the increased torque from power upgrades without snapping under pressure.

Pro tip from our race mechanic days: Listen to your car. Grinding noises that weren't there before? Something's wearing. Fix it before it breaks completely.

Style Upgrades (Looking Good While Going Fast)

Let's talk about the fun stuff.

Racing is great, but sometimes you just want a car that makes other drivers stop and stare.

The clear lexan body that came with your car?

Boring.

Check out our extensive collection of RC bodies to find the perfect look for your car. For touring car and drift enthusiasts, our 1:10 touring, drift and rally bodies offer both scale realism and proper aerodynamics.

If you want to drive at night, choose from our selection of LED kits and lights. It includes everything from simple headlight/taillight combinations to fully programmable light bars that are perfect for scale trucks and night runs.

Finishing touches like stickers and decals or spoilers and wings can make your car stand out while also improving performance.

A well-designed rear wing adds meaningful downforce at higher speeds, especially on 1/10 touring cars.

RC Car Upgrades FAQs

Will upgrading my RC car void the warranty?

It depends on the manufacturer. Traxxas and ARMMA generally allow basic upgrades while maintaining warranty coverage for unmodified components. Smart approach: keep all your stock parts in a box. If warranty service is needed, return the vehicle to stock configuration first.

What's the first upgrade I should make to my RC car?

For most RTR cars, a quality LiPo battery. Nothing else offers such an immediate and noticeable improvement for the money. Just make sure your ESC is LiPo-compatible before making the switch.

How much does it cost to fully upgrade an RC car?

Fully upgrading an RC car typically costs between $200 and $800. Costs vary based on parts such as brushless motors, LiPo batteries, high-performance tires, metal gears, and advanced suspension systems. Labor fees may apply if you hire a technician for installation, increasing the total price.

Can I upgrade any RC car or are there limitations?

Most RC cars can be upgraded with bigger engines, stronger servos, larger batteries, and bigger electric motors, but it depends on the specific model. You need to be careful what you upgrade because certain upgrades may actually weaken your RC car. Always check compatibility before purchasing upgrades.

Beyond Upgrading Your RC Car Parts

The most successful RC upgrades follow a simple pattern: identify problems, research solutions, implement one change at a time, and test thoroughly. This methodical approach that we’ve also discussed above ensures each euro spent actually improves your driving experience.

However, your driving skills matter more than your parts list. The best drivers can win with stock cars because they understand vehicle dynamics and drive smoothly. Therefore, develop your skills in parallel with your upgrade path for the best results.

If you’re still looking for specific advice for your RC car model, fill out our contact form. Our customer service team consists of active racers and hobbyists who've broken and fixed just about everything. They can recommend the exact upgrades that address your car's weak points.