Hello:

I just recently got into radio-control cars as a hobby. I must say that, while expensive, it is likely the best hobby I could ever hope to enter.

I am getting settled into radio-control; already I have a kit and some free space. With a bit of money left over, I have the opportunity for some upgrades. That said, what are some recommended upgrades for an electric on-road RC kit as opposed to those with negligible results? For instance, I heard that upgraded steering links and hardened chassis plates are good upgrades for performance, but am still unsure what an aluminium servo holder would do for somebody who is not currently racing competitively.

As another question: would going for more durable upgrades be necessary at all, or would the added performance make me the car's limiting factor? I practice whenever I can at empty lots around my neighbourhood, and thanks to some tips borrowed from driving full-sized cars I like to think I am a decent driver for my relative inexperience. However, stock items such as plastic steering uprights and thin metal steering links still have me slightly nervous...

If model is important to consider, I have a stock Tamiya F103RS. I am told parts can be scarce, but aftermarket support is very strong. Thank you.

Are you using lipo,brushed motors or brushless,what type of radio system do you have...Got to give us a little more.

Sorry about that. I am using a(n):

-Power Racing Cypress CY3S 2.4 GHz radio and receiver (pistol-grip)
-Airtronics 94102 servo (previously an Acoms AS-16)
-Dynamite Li-Po Tazer 10T ESC unit
-Tamiya RS-540 Sport-Tuned Motor (black can, so a brushed motor)
-Reedy Wolfpack 2400 mAh battery (Ni-MH)

if you 're running a black can you're best bet would be to keep it in a Mini Cooper. I had one in mine w/Lipo and it was plenty fast.

find out which parts break easily, and keep spares on hand. That's what I'd recommend.

Keep a close eye on Ebay for parts lots that come up for sale. Some big savings to be had!

Get yourself a lipo battery and charger, if you current charger doesn't do lipos.

You'll notice a difference right away.

another idea is to upgrade a part to aluminum only when that part breaks. that way you know it is a vulnarable part.

These are my recommended upgrades, on level of importance:

1) are they on ball bearings already? if not, I'd suggest this upgrade.

2) then the suspensions, it is on adjustable oil-filled suspensions? if not, replace those friction suspensions. even plastic adjustable oil-filled suspensions are way much better than the friction sus.

3) a set of springs and a set of oil (different thickness) for the suspension you can start with those set that have low-medium-hard

4) sets of tires with different foam inserts ... so that you can play around with the right one depending on the surface of your play-ground... use a good CA to glue those tires (highly recommend the Tamiya CA)

5) servo saver that will really protect your servo

6) a set of different pinions or gear upgrades to make you play around with your final-drive-ratio (FDR). different track configuration will require different FDR to make the best lap times.

7) metal gear servo with a fast response (that your TX can also handle - it is useless to have a fast servo if your TX sends slow signal response)

8) better ESC that will maximize the black can. Some low FDR settings can burn a black can or overdischarge your lipo. so upgrading them would be good.

9) commutator drops to clean your comms before any race

10) tire compounds - some surfaces gives better tire grip if the tires have been wiped with these tire compounds

11) if you will not retire from using brushed motors, a good motor tuning tools is also a good investment. this will allow you to break-in your motor properly, and can be a good tool to dyno your motors on hand and be able to pick which ones is in the best condition.

12) tire camber and alignment tools... very helpfull in race conditions and further augment your suspension set-up to maximize the stability of your car on those straightways and corners.

13) thread lock (blue) ... so woudn't have to worry about loosened bolts during your race. I had several experience that my car was unstable or got into a crash because of the bolts have loosened.

14) brushless motor and ESC set ... if you will graduate from the brushed motors and if the race you will be joining will allow brushless motors.

15) bling-blings - like those blue TRF upgrades

16) personal transponder - if you got hooked into racing big leagues.

17) tire warmers - to warm-up those tires before the race. just like F1s... hehehe

18) a new/branded newer model TX/RX set ... if you have reached the level of addiction to RC hobby... you will understand why I am recommending this upgrade

19) a different RC chassis set and bodies... because by this time you won't be content with one type of RC to play around with.

Thank you all for the tips!

Of course, if you have any more, I am still open to them.

if your car is brushed go to brushless and if you have a nicd or nimh defenetly go to lipo its a good way to go you will get a LOT more speed and axeleration and also longer battery run time on lipo

BUT if you go brushless you have to go lipo