Upgrade or Hop Up

Introduction

An upgrade or hop-up is a replacement for your car. If you are buying a standard ready to assemble kit from Tamiya like TT01 or TT02, there are so many upgrades available on the market. Upgrade is not compulsory.  You need an upgrade if you want better performance for your car especially if you are racing with your friends or enter into competition. However you need to consider what kind of upgrade suitable for your car.

Ball bearing

Standard kit from tamiya like TT01 and TT02 does not have metal bearings. You may need to replace the plastic bushing with metal bearing.

Drive axle or swing arm

A universal joint shaft is better rather than a dogbone axle that comes standard with the kit. A dogbone axle can easily come out upon impact. A high end joint shaft is called double cardin or double joint axle.  For a entry level chasis like TT01, a single joint shaft is enough.

Wheel adaptor

A standard kit comes with a plastic wheel adaptor that is easily come off when you remove the wheel. You may need to replace it with a alloy wheel adaptor that is much stronger.