It's a TT02, you can't make it THAT much worse... Plus, its better to be poor to drive than have a DNF.

The Yeah Racing steel universals and cups are only $20:

• Yeah Racing Tamiya TT-02 Steel Universal Drive Shafts (2)
• Yeah Racing Tamiya TT-02 Steel Front/Rear Differential Cups (2)

The few TT02 "box-stock" classes I've seen pop-up over the years in this area have all ended up allowing at least this upgrade for durability. If that's really not an option, then it's like others have already said: turn your dual-rate down to limit steering throw and/or stuff a piece of foam or o-ring in the cups.

EDIT: Ope, YEA-TT02-015, is on backorder on A-Main. Here you go: Yeah Racing Tamiya TT-02 G45 Steel Universal CVD Driveshafts V2 TT02-015

I’m new to RC cars and to the forum. Firstly, thanks for all the advice and tips I’ve already found on the forum.

I bought my Son a stock Tamiya TT-02 (Lancia Delta Integrale) for Christmas which we have almost completed building and are looking at sourcing the parts required to get it up and running.

It will be used for playing around on the driveway/in the garden so we’re not looking at going crazy upgrading at present. I’ve ordered a ball bearing kit and oil-filled shocks to replace the friction ones in the kit.

I’ve also bought a Flysky FS-GTC3 transmitter/receiver and a JX-PDI 4409MG servo.

I just need to sort out a battery/charger. As I understand, the speed controller in the stock kit is not designed for LiPo batteries and could risk over-discharging. Does that mean I need to look at NiMH batteries? Any good current recommendations for UK sources batteries and a compatible charger?

I have been given a TLP Fuzzy Logic AC/DC switching charger, although I have no instructions for it and don’t know how to use it. I’m not sure if this is obsolete now.

Any advice to would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!

Even if an ESC doesn't have low voltage cut-off you can still use LiPos: there are external Lipo alarms you can connect to the battery.

Thanks, I’ve seen these. Are they straightforward to fit? Is it an audible alarm? I was wondering how easy this would be to hear?
I’m assuming LiPo is quite a big upgrade compared to NiMH?

You can also use these switches from Ruddog.
https://www.ruddog.eu/RUDDOG-Electro...itro-Engines_1
Personally, I think these cutoff devices still go below (6.2 is dicey) the proper recommended threshold (3.2v per cell = 6.4v minimum)
A proper esc is a worthwhile investment in the fun.

Getting an ESC with a low voltage cutoff seems like a better option.
i found a ‘Tamiya Hobbywing 1060 RTR Quirun 60A Brushed ESC NiMH/LiPo 8T limit’ for under £20: is it compatible and will it do what I need?

HobbyWing 1060 is perfect.
Yes, it will work with the stock silver can brushed motor and suit your purpose nicely.
If you want more speed, there are still several brushed motors available. My preference for Rally fun with a TT02 is a 2or 3 slot 19T motor. Good speed and torque, and won’t drain the batteries too fast.

The TT02 Lancia Delta should have come with a HobbyWing 1060 ESC?

The TT02 Lancia Delta should have come with a HobbyWing 1060 ESC or TBLE04S… unless you picked up an older kit that has the Tamiya TBLE-02S.

let us know which ESC came with the kit.

The "problem" is these ESCs are not provided into the kits by Tamiya Japan (not even the Tamiya-labeled ESCs are). They're all put into the boxes by the distributors, so they can vary quite a bit. Same as the clear plastic wrapping around the kits - not done by Tamiya themselves (yet some collectors seem to insist upon it, so the kit is in "original" condition (which it is not, strictly speaking)... In Europe, or let's say Germany and some surrounding countries, there are still kits that have a Tamiya ESC, some have a Hobbywing 1060 and some have a Carson ESC. So you really need to check what you actually got.

Thanks for that…
I’ve just checked and it comes with a Carson Dragster Brushed 70A which appears to be compatible with LiPo batteries (although it doesn’t say if it has a low voltage cut off).
is this a better controller than the Hobbywing 1060 60A (which I have also now ordered!)?
Are LiPo cells/chargers much of a muchness or are their manufacturers/suppliers to look for/avoid?

What I found:

It looks just like the Hobbywing 1060 (which it says it's rebranded), can't find anything about low voltage cutoff, but if it's rebranded it should.

the 2 jumpers are the settings. One is for forward brake reverse. The seconds for LiPo or Nimh.

Nice