So, you’ve just picked up your first-ever hobby-grade RC car—and you’re loving it. You’ve been tearing up the streets, running it every day (maybe even twice a day), and you’ve got the hang of driving. But now… something inside you is stirring. A hunger. A need—for speed.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most RC enthusiasts hit this point pretty quickly, and today, we’re going to walk you through how to feed that beast and make your RC car faster. Not just “kinda faster,” but properly faster.
Let’s dive in and learn how to make your RC car faster.
Know Your RC Car Before Upgrading
Before you start throwing in upgrades, it’s crucial to know what you’re working with.
Let’s say you have an HSP Viper, a popular entry-level, two-wheel-drive brushed RC car. It’s a solid start: simple to use, affordable (around $200 with remote, battery, and charger included), and fast enough to be fun, but not too fast for beginners.
We will take this as an example, as we have upgraded it. So that you can understand it better and upgrade your car.
How to Make Your RC Car Faster?
Step 1: Identify Your Motor Type
Before you start upgrading, identify what kind of motor your car has.
- Brushed motor? You’ll see two wires.
- Brushless motor? You’ll see three wires.
Your Viper likely has a brushed motor paired with a 6-cell NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) battery. It’s simple and safe—but we want more.
Step 2: Upgrade the Battery (Slight Speed Boost)
A simple way to wake up your car is to upgrade the battery. You can either:
- Use a 7-cell NiMH battery, or
- Step into the future with a LiPo (Lithium Polymer) battery.
The battery upgrade gives better acceleration, but with a brushed motor, it won’t dramatically increase top speed. Also, using a high-voltage LiPo on a brushed setup can shorten the motor’s lifespan.
If you’re serious about speed, we need to do more.
Step 3: Gear Ratio Tweaks (Minor Gains)
Changing your gear ratio can boost top speed:
- Use a larger pinion gear or a smaller spur gear.
This increases top speed but reduces acceleration. Think of it like shifting a bicycle into a harder gear—it goes faster but takes more effort to get moving.
Good for squeezing out a few extra km/h, but still not game-changing.
Step 4: Go Brushless – The Real Game Changer
Here’s where the real magic happens. Upgrading to a brushless motor and ESC (electronic speed control) is the best way to truly unleash your car.
We have used a Hobbywing Max10 60A ESC with a 4000KV brushless motor. Hobbywing is a trusted brand with reliable performance. There are cheaper options out there, but going with quality ensures longer life and fewer headaches.
Let’s decode the motor numbers quickly:
- 3652SL: The motor is 36mm wide and 52mm long.
- KV Rating (e.g., 4000KV): Tells you how fast the motor spins per volt. So, 4000KV = 4000 RPM per volt.
- Higher KV = higher speed.
- Lower KV = more torque (better for heavier cars or 4WD).
So a 4000KV motor is fast but still torquey enough for most 2WD cars.
Check if your RC car already comes in a brushless version. That’ll give you a good idea of safe motor specs. For instance, the Viper BL (brushless) version uses a 3300KV motor—so our 4000KV motor is a nice upgrade.
Step 5: Select the Right ESC and Battery
Your ESC controls how much current your car can handle.
- A 60A ESC is plenty for our setup.
- Make sure your ESC matches your motor, or just buy a combo so you don’t have to guess.
Important: Never use a NiMH charger for a LiPo battery. It’s dangerous. Get a proper LiPo charger.
Step 6: Installation Time
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your brushless motor and ESC
- A suitable LiPo battery and LiPo charger
- Hex drivers (1.5mm and 2.5mm)
- Zip ties
- Double-sided tape
- Microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol for cleaning
Steps:
- Take a photo of your current wiring. Trust me, you’ll want it later.
- Unplug and remove your old ESC and motor.
- Clean your chassis with alcohol.
- Mount the new motor and ensure the correct gear mesh (watch a gear mesh tutorial if unsure).
- Stick your ESC down securely.
- Connect the motor wires (A to A, B to B, etc.)
- Plug the ESC into Channel 2 on your receiver.
- Calibrate your ESC using the manual.
Pro Tip: If your car moves in reverse when you pull the trigger, switch any two motor wires. Easy fix!
Step 7: Check the Failsafe
Before your first run, make sure your radio’s failsafe is set up correctly. A failsafe prevents runaway cars if the signal drops.
Put the car on a box so the wheels are off the ground. Turn off the remote first and see how the car responds. If the wheels spin wildly, recheck the failsafe settings.
Step 8: Let’s See the Speed!
Now that everything’s installed, powered, and safe—it’s time to put your new setup to the test.
Previous top speed: 36 km/h
New top speed? 63 km/h. Massive gains!
You’ll notice the acceleration, throttle response, and overall driving feel have all leveled up. But yes, expect more wear and tear, and maybe the occasional broken part—but that’s all part of the fun.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading your RC car doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a little knowledge and a few quality parts, you can unlock a completely different driving experience. Whether you’re racing friends or just tearing up the driveway, going brushless is a game changer.
So go on—tinker, tune, and most importantly, go fast.
And if you liked this post, bookmark it, share it, or send it to a fellow speed addict. See you out on the track!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest way to make an RC car faster without spending a lot of money?
The cheapest speed gains come from optimizing what you already have: ensure your battery is fully charged, clean the motor contacts, reduce friction in the drivetrain, and check your gearing ratio. A fresh LiPo battery alone can give you 10-15% more speed compared to an old or partially charged one, and it costs nothing if you already own it.
Should I upgrade my motor or battery first?
Start with the battery—upgrading to a higher discharge rate LiPo (like 50C instead of 25C) gives immediate speed gains and costs $30-50. Motor upgrades are the next logical step, but they require matching your ESC (electronic speed controller) and potentially your battery, so budget $80-150 total. Always upgrade the battery first since it benefits all other components.
Can I make my brushed RC car faster, or should I go brushless?
Brushed motors can be upgraded to higher KV (RPM) versions for modest speed increases, but brushless motors are 2-3x faster and more efficient. If you’re serious about speed, brushless is the way to go—expect to spend $100-200 for a complete brushless system (motor, ESC, battery), but the performance jump is worth it.
What happens if I use a faster motor than my ESC can handle?
Your ESC will overheat and potentially burn out, or it will throttle back and limit your motor’s performance. Always match your motor’s KV rating to your ESC’s maximum RPM rating—check your ESC specs before buying a new motor. Mismatched components are a common beginner mistake that wastes money.
Does gear ratio really affect RC car speed?
Yes, absolutely—lower final drive ratios (like 3.0:1) give you higher top speed but less torque, while higher ratios (like 4.0:1) provide better acceleration and climbing ability. For pure speed on flat terrain, a lower ratio works best, but you’ll sacrifice hill-climbing power and may burn out your motor faster if it’s underpowered.
How much faster will my ARRMA RC car be with all the upgrades?
A typical beginner ARRMA with basic upgrades (brushless motor, quality LiPo, lower gearing) can see 30-50% speed increases—from around 25 mph to 35-40 mph. Going all-out with high-end components can push some models over 50 mph, but diminishing returns kick in quickly, and you’ll need a large open space to safely run at those speeds.
Is it worth upgrading an old or budget RC car, or should I buy a faster one?
If your car is still mechanically sound, targeted upgrades are cost-effective and teach you valuable skills. However, if you’re looking at $200+ in upgrades, you might be better off selling your current car and investing in a higher-tier ARRMA model that’s already faster and more durable. Do the math: budget car ($150) + upgrades ($200) = $350 total, versus a better car at $300-400 from the start.
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