How to Make Your RC Car Faster: 7 Easy Speed Upgrades
Every RC owner eventually asks the same question: how do I make this thing go faster? The good news is that making your RC car faster is one of the most satisfying parts of the hobby, and you can start with free tweaks before spending a dime. Here are seven proven speed upgrades, ordered from cheapest to most powerful.
1. Charge Your Battery Fully (Free)
It sounds obvious, but a partially charged battery delivers less voltage and noticeably less speed. Always run a full charge, and if your battery is old and won’t hold a charge, that alone could be your speed problem. A fresh, fully-charged pack is the easiest speed “upgrade” there is.
2. Switch to a Higher-Voltage or LiPo Battery ($20-40)
This is the single biggest speed gain per dollar. Moving from a NiMH battery to a LiPo battery, or from a 2S to a 3S pack (within your ESC’s rated limits), pushes more power to the motor for an immediate 10-25% speed increase. Always verify your electronics can handle the higher voltage before upgrading. Browse batteries and chargers to find a compatible pack.
3. Change the Pinion Gear ($5-10)
Installing a larger pinion gear (more teeth) raises your top speed. It’s a cheap, effective mod — just don’t go too big, or you’ll generate excess heat and strain the motor. Bump up a few teeth at a time and monitor motor temperature after each run. A small pinion change can add several mph.
4. Upgrade Your Tires ($10-25)
Speed is useless without traction. If your tires spin out, you’re wasting power. Stickier compound tires for your surface (soft for dirt, belted slicks for pavement) let the car actually put its power down. The right tires can make a car feel dramatically faster even without more motor power.
5. Add Ball Bearings ($15-20)
Many budget cars ship with plastic bushings instead of ball bearings. Swapping to quality bearings reduces friction throughout the drivetrain, freeing up speed and run time. It’s a 30-minute job that makes the whole car feel smoother and quicker.
6. Upgrade to a Brushless Motor + ESC ($60-100)
This is the big one. Swapping a brushed motor for a brushless system can double or even triple your car’s speed while improving efficiency and run time. It’s the ultimate speed upgrade — save it for after you’ve mastered the stock setup, because the extra speed demands real driving skill.
7. Reduce Weight
Less weight means faster acceleration and higher top speed. Remove unnecessary accessories, switch to a lighter battery, or use a lighter body shell. Racers obsess over weight for a reason — every gram you cut helps the car accelerate and corner faster.
A Word on Safety
Speed multiplies crash force. A car that’s twice as fast hits four times as hard. Before chasing big speed, make sure your driver can control the car at its current pace — see our guide on fast RC cars for kids for matching speed to skill. Always drive fast RC cars in open areas away from people, pets, and traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes an RC car go faster?
The biggest factors are battery voltage, motor type (brushless beats brushed), gearing, traction, and weight. Upgrading the battery and motor delivers the largest gains, while gearing and tires fine-tune the result.
Can you make a cheap RC car faster?
To a point. A fully charged battery, a higher-voltage pack (if supported), and stickier tires help any car. But many toy-grade cars have sealed, non-upgradable electronics. For serious speed upgrades, you need a hobby-grade car with replaceable parts.
Will upgrading void my RC car’s warranty?
Often yes, and over-volting or over-gearing can burn out a motor or ESC. Upgrade within manufacturer specs, monitor heat, and understand you’re trading some reliability for speed. That’s part of the hobby.
Find speed upgrades in our RC parts and upgrades collection, or shop faster vehicles in RC cars.
