If you're not into racing, this will get you started.

http://www.nitrorcx.com/07e-combo-js4.html

http://www.nitrorcx.com/98p-40c-5000...se-direct.html

I just converted mine to rally with that same speedo but with a 17.5 motor and its already quite fast.

As for hop-ups, I found the TC3 spool for the front end for about $20 on Ebay and that made it very controllable.