If you’ve been in the RC hobby for more than five minutes, you’ve probably had this thought:
“This thing would be so much better if I just upgraded a few parts.”
Yeah… me too.
When I bought my first hobby-grade RC car, I told myself I’d keep it stock for a while. That lasted about three weekends.
The aftermarket world is dangerous. Shiny aluminum parts. Bigger motors. “Extreme performance” labels everywhere. It’s easy to go from “fun hobby” to “why did I just spend $400?” real quick.
So here’s my honest, real-world take on which RC car upgrades are actually worth it, based on what I’ve personally tried—and what I wish I had done differently.
If you’re new and still figuring out your budget, you might want to read this first:
👉 https://trvbaby.net/rc-car/is-rc-car-hobby-expensive/
Because upgrades add up fast.
Why Most People (Including Me) Upgrade Too Early
When you first get into RC, everything feels a little underpowered.
You watch YouTube. Someone installs a brushless system. Suddenly their car looks like a rocket ship.
You think, “Yeah. I need that.”
But here’s what I learned the hard way:
Upgrading power before upgrading control and durability is a mistake.
Before you buy anything, ask yourself:
- Is something actually broken?
- Am I limited by performance?
- Or am I just bored?
There’s nothing wrong with upgrading. That’s part of the fun. But upgrading smart is the difference between enjoying the hobby and constantly fixing stuff.
The Upgrades That Actually Made a Difference
1. Tires – The Most Underrated Upgrade
If I had to start over, I’d change tires first. No question.
Stock tires are “okay” at everything. Great at nothing.
When I switched to terrain-specific tires, the difference shocked me. Better grip. Better braking. Way better cornering. It felt like a completely different car—and I didn’t touch the motor.
In terms of performance per dollar, tires are hands down the best upgrade.
Backyard grass? Get deeper tread.
Dirt track? Softer compound.
Pavement? Street tires.
Simple change. Huge difference.
2. Battery Upgrade – Instant Wake-Up
Switching from NiMH to LiPo was the first time I said, “Ohhh… now I get it.”
Stronger throttle response. More punch. Longer runtime.
It made the car feel alive.
Just make sure your ESC supports LiPo and use a proper charger. Don’t cut corners here. Power is fun. House fires are not.
If you’re still choosing your first RC car, this beginner guide might help:
👉 https://trvbaby.net/rc-car/rc-basics/rc-car-batteries-explained/
Because not every beginner car handles LiPo upgrades well.
3. Steering Servo – More Important Than I Expected
This one surprised me.
I upgraded my servo mostly because the stock one felt “meh.” It worked—but it wasn’t precise.
After installing a higher-torque, faster servo, steering felt tighter. More responsive. Especially at higher speeds.
If you care about control (or racing), this is absolutely worth it.
It’s not flashy. But you feel it every time you turn.
4. Suspension (Oil-Filled Shocks) – Confidence Booster
If you jump your RC car or run rough terrain, upgraded shocks are worth every dollar.
Stock friction shocks bounce. A lot.
Oil-filled shocks absorb landings better and keep the car planted. After upgrading mine, I stopped flipping as often—and I started driving more aggressively because I trusted the suspension.
Better stability = more confidence.
5. Brushless System – Only When You’re Ready
Okay. The big one.
Yes, brushless systems are awesome. The speed jump is insane. It feels like you strapped a rocket to your RC car.
But here’s the honest truth:
If you upgrade to brushless too early, you’ll break stuff.
Driveshafts. Gears. Differentials. Something will give.
In my opinion, brushless is 100% worth it—but only after:
- You’ve improved durability
- You’re comfortable controlling throttle
- Your drivetrain can handle the extra power
Otherwise, you’re just upgrading your repair bills.
Upgrades I Regret (At Least Early On)
Full Aluminum Suspension Arms
They looked amazing.
But plastic flexes. Aluminum bends—and transfers stress elsewhere.
When plastic breaks, it’s cheap to replace. When aluminum bends, it can mess up other components.
Selective aluminum parts? Sure.
Replacing everything? Not necessary.
LED Kits & Cosmetic Parts
Fun? Yes.
Performance boost? Zero.
If budget matters, focus on function first.
You can always make it look cool later.
The Upgrade Order I’d Follow If Starting Over
If I had a brand-new RC car today, here’s the order I’d upgrade:
- Tires
- Battery
- Servo
- Suspension
- Brushless system
- Hardened gears / durability parts
This keeps your car balanced and avoids the “too much power, not enough control” problem.
Upgrading gradually also lets you actually feel each improvement. That’s part of the hobby.
How I Decide If an Upgrade Is Worth It
Now I ask myself three simple questions:
- Does this fix a real problem?
- Will I actually feel the difference?
- Does it match how I drive?
If the answer isn’t yes to all three, I wait.
Impulse upgrades are expensive. Intentional upgrades are satisfying.
Upgrade With Purpose
RC car upgrades can absolutely be worth it.
The right upgrades make your car faster, tougher, and way more fun.
But throwing parts at a car without a plan? That’s how a $300 hobby turns into a $1,500 science experiment.
For me, the real fun has been learning what actually improves performance versus what just looks cool.
Upgrade smart.
Upgrade slowly.
And enjoy the drive.
Because at the end of the day, that’s why we’re doing this in the first place.