Exploring the Differences Between Standard and Optional RC Parts

Discover when plastic beats aluminium and when upgrades actually matter

Here's the thing that most people don't realise straight away: sometimes the standard plastic part is actually the better choice. Sounds backwards, doesn't it? But after years of watching customers at Hearns Hobbies upgrade everything in sight only to discover their car handles worse, we've learnt that smart upgrading beats blind upgrading every single time.

The RC industry loves to make this decision seem complicated with endless technical specifications and claims about "race-bred performance." But the reality is much simpler - and much more interesting. Whether you're running a HB D819RS on the local track or bashing a Traxxas through your backyard, the same fundamental principles apply.

Key Takeaways: RC Parts at a Glance
Material Differences	Standard parts use injection-moulded plastic (polycarbonate/nylon), optional parts feature aluminium, carbon fibre, or composite materials
Cost Impact	Optional parts typically cost 2-3× more than standard equivalents, with suspension arms jumping from $8 to $24
Performance Trade-offs	Plastic offers flex and crash resistance, aluminium provides precision and responsiveness
Best Upgrade Strategy	Mix-and-match approach: upgrade high-stress areas (shock towers, hubs) while keeping stock parts elsewhere
When to Upgrade	Repeated part failures, competitive racing, or power system upgrades signal upgrade time
Top Brands	HB Racing, Traxxas, Yokomo, and Hot Bodies offer comprehensive standard and optional part ecosystems

Every RC enthusiast faces this question sooner or later: should I stick with standard plastic parts or splurge on those shiny optional aluminium upgrades? It's not just about the extra cash - it's about understanding what your RC actually needs versus what the marketing photos make you want.

What makes this choice particularly tricky is that both standard and optional parts serve genuine purposes. Standard parts aren't just "cheap alternatives" - they're engineered solutions designed to handle specific types of stress and usage patterns. Optional parts aren't just "expensive show-offs" either - they solve real problems for drivers who've pushed beyond what standard components can handle.

The key lies in understanding your own driving style, your RC's current setup, and honestly assessing what type of performance gains you're actually chasing. Some upgrades deliver immediate, noticeable improvements. Others are purely psychological - they make you feel better about your car without changing how it performs.

Throughout this guide, we'll explore the materials science behind both part types, break down the real-world cost implications, and give you a strategic framework for deciding which components deserve your upgrade budget first. Whether you're building your first serious racing rig or trying to resurrect an old basher, these principles will save you both money and frustration.

Material Differences: What Are Standard and Optional RC Parts Made Of?

At the core of every RC car are materials that shape its performance, and understanding these differences can save you hundreds of dollars in unnecessary upgrades. Most standard parts are made from injection-moulded plastic — often a blend of polycarbonate or nylon — while optional parts tend to be crafted from aluminium, carbon fibre, or composite materials for added strength and precision.

The engineering behind standard plastic parts is more sophisticated than most people give it credit for. These aren't just cheap alternatives thrown together to keep costs down. Polycarbonate blends used in HB D819RS standard parts are specifically formulated to flex under impact without cracking, which means your suspension arms bend instead of snapping when you clip that kerb at full speed.

Optional parts tell a different story entirely. When you're shopping through RC spare parts, you'll notice that aluminium components have that distinctive machined finish and substantial weight. This isn't just for show - the material properties of 6061-T6 aluminium (the most common grade used) provide significantly higher stiffness than plastic, which translates to more precise steering response and better power transfer.

Material Type	Primary Composition	Key Characteristics	Typical Applications
Polycarbonate Plastic	Thermoplastic polymer	High impact resistance, flexible	Suspension arms, chassis plates
Nylon Composite	Polyamide with glass fibres	Self-lubricating, wear resistant	Gears, bushings, pivot points
6061-T6 Aluminium	Aluminium alloy, heat treated	High stiffness, corrosion resistant	Shock towers, hubs, chassis braces
Carbon Fibre	Carbon filaments in resin matrix	Ultra-light, extremely stiff	Chassis plates, shock towers

Carbon fibre represents the premium end of optional parts, and you'll find it extensively used in high-end Yokomo touring car setups. The material's strength-to-weight ratio is genuinely impressive, but it comes with a significant caveat - it's brittle. Where an aluminium part might bend under extreme stress, carbon fibre tends to fracture completely.

What's particularly interesting is how different manufacturers approach material selection. Traxxas spare parts lean heavily toward durable plastics even in their "optional" ranges, recognising that their customer base prioritises durability over ultimate performance. Meanwhile, Hot Bodies optional parts focus on lightweight aluminium components designed for competitive racing scenarios.

Durability vs Performance: The Trade-Off That Matters Most

Here's where things get interesting - and where most people make expensive mistakes. The classic trade-off between toughness and precision isn't as straightforward as "better materials equal better performance." Sometimes, the supposedly "inferior" plastic part actually performs better for your specific use case.

Plastic components are designed to flex and absorb energy, which makes them incredibly forgiving during crashes. When you're bashing your RC through rough terrain or learning to handle a new HB E819RS, that flexibility can be the difference between replacing a $8 suspension arm and rebuilding an entire front end.

Aluminium parts, on the other hand, transfer stress rather than absorbing it. This characteristic makes steering more responsive and power delivery more efficient, but it also means that impact energy gets transmitted to other components. Professional racers love this because it gives them precise control, but weekend bashers often find themselves replacing multiple parts after a single hard crash.

Material Type	Crash Resistance	Steering Response	Best Use Case
Standard Plastic	Excellent - flexes and returns	Good - some flex lag	Bashing, learning, casual racing
Optional Aluminium	Moderate - can bend or crack	Excellent - immediate response	Competitive racing, precision driving
Carbon Fibre	Poor - brittle failure mode	Outstanding - zero flex	Professional racing only

The performance differences become most apparent in steering feel and throttle response. When you upgrade to aluminium steering blocks and front hubs, the car reacts more quickly to steering inputs because there's less flex in the system. This improved responsiveness is why serious racers running HB D819RS optional parts can set faster lap times on technical tracks.

But here's what the marketing materials don't tell you: that increased responsiveness can actually make your car harder to drive. Beginners often find that aluminium-equipped cars feel "twitchy" or unpredictable because every small input gets transmitted directly to the wheels without the smoothing effect of plastic flex.

Temperature also plays a crucial role in material performance. Plastic parts actually get stronger in cold weather, while aluminium components can become brittle. This is why many outdoor winter racers stick with standard components from our RC parts collection during the colder months.

For off-road applications, the durability equation changes completely. The constant vibration and impact loads of off-road driving can cause aluminium parts to develop stress fractures over time, while plastic components simply flex and continue working. This is why experienced Traxxas users often upgrade their power systems and electronics whilst keeping the chassis components stock.

Cost Analysis: Breaking Down the Real Price of Performance

Let's talk money, because optional parts can quickly turn an affordable hobby into an expensive obsession. The price difference between standard and optional components isn't just about material costs - it reflects different manufacturing processes, quality control standards, and market positioning strategies.

A typical aluminium suspension arm might cost three times more than its plastic equivalent, but the manufacturing process is completely different. Standard plastic parts are injection moulded in high volumes, making each unit relatively inexpensive. Optional aluminium parts are usually CNC machined from billet stock, a process that's inherently more time-consuming and material-wasteful.

Component Category	Standard Price Range	Optional Price Range	Performance Gain
Suspension Arms (pair)	$15-25	$45-80	Moderate - stiffer suspension response
Shock Towers	$12-20	$35-65	High - improved chassis rigidity
Steering Components	$8-15	$25-50	High - reduced steering slop
Drivetrain Parts	$10-30	$40-120	Variable - depends on application
Chassis Plates	$20-35	$80-200	Low-Moderate - mainly aesthetic

The economics get particularly interesting when you factor in replacement frequency. Standard plastic parts might cost less upfront, but if you're breaking them regularly, the total cost of ownership can actually exceed that of more expensive optional parts. This is especially true for high-wear items like suspension components on racing cars.

However, there's a hidden cost that many enthusiasts overlook: the diminishing returns of incremental upgrades. The first few optional parts you install will deliver noticeable improvements, but each subsequent upgrade provides smaller and smaller gains whilst costing the same amount. This is why experienced builders focus their optional part budgets on specific areas rather than upgrading everything.

From a resale perspective, optional parts don't typically add their full purchase price to a car's value. While a well-upgraded Yokomo touring car will sell for more than a stock version, you'll rarely recover more than your optional parts investment. This makes it crucial to upgrade for your own enjoyment rather than as an investment strategy.

When to Upgrade: Reading the Signs Your RC Needs Optional Parts

Knowing when to upgrade is more important than knowing what to upgrade. Too many RC enthusiasts jump straight to optional parts without understanding whether their current setup is actually holding them back. The key is learning to recognise genuine performance limitations versus perceived ones.

The most obvious sign is repeated failure of the same component. If you've replaced the same plastic suspension arm three times in two months, that's a clear indicator that your driving style or track conditions are exceeding what standard parts can handle. At that point, upgrading to an aluminium equivalent from the HB D819RS optional parts range makes financial sense.

Steering slop is another telltale sign that upgrades might be worthwhile. If your car doesn't respond immediately to steering inputs, or if it feels "loose" through fast corners, worn or flexing plastic steering components are often the culprit. This is particularly noticeable when you've upgraded to a more powerful motor system, as the increased speed makes any steering delays more apparent.

• Handling Issues: Car feels unpredictable through corners, especially at higher speeds
• Power Mismatch: You've upgraded to a more powerful motor but the chassis feels "flexy"
• Competitive Disadvantage: Consistently slower lap times despite improved driving skills
• Repeated Failures: Same components breaking multiple times in short periods
• Track Evolution: Moving from casual bashing to serious track racing

Competitive racing presents a different set of upgrade triggers. When you're consistently running within a few tenths of the leaders but can't find that extra speed, optional parts might provide the edge you need. This is particularly true for precision components like steering systems and chassis bracing, where even small improvements in responsiveness can translate to measurable lap time gains.

Temperature sensitivity can also signal upgrade time. Standard plastic parts change their characteristics significantly with temperature - they become more flexible in heat and more brittle in cold. If you're racing in extreme conditions, optional aluminium components from manufacturers like Hot Bodies provide more consistent performance across temperature ranges.

A common mistake is upgrading everything at once. This makes it impossible to evaluate which changes actually improved performance. Instead, upgrade one system at a time and test thoroughly before moving to the next component.

Don't overlook the human factor in upgrade decisions. As your driving skills improve, you'll naturally start to notice limitations that weren't apparent when you were learning basic car control. What felt like adequate responsiveness as a beginner might feel sluggish once you've developed more precise driving technique. This progression is natural and represents a good time to consider targeted upgrades.

Strategic Upgrading: The Mix-and-Match Approach That Actually Works

Smart upgrading isn't about replacing every plastic part with an aluminium equivalent - it's about understanding which components benefit most from upgrading and which ones work better in their standard form. This strategic approach can save you hundreds of dollars whilst delivering better performance than a complete optional parts conversion.

The key principle is identifying high-stress areas where optional parts provide genuine benefits whilst leaving low-stress components in their more forgiving plastic form. For example, shock towers and chassis braces see constant stress and benefit significantly from the added rigidity of aluminium construction. Meanwhile, body mounts and receiver boxes rarely experience high loads and work perfectly well in their standard plastic versions.

Priority Level	Components to Upgrade	Keep Standard	Reasoning
High Priority	Shock towers, front hubs, chassis braces	Body mounts, electronics boxes	Maximum structural benefit, minimal downside
Medium Priority	Suspension arms, steering blocks	Bumpers, side guards	Noticeable performance gain vs crash protection
Low Priority	Chassis plates (racing only)	Drive cups, transmission cases	Mainly aesthetic or extreme performance scenarios

Weight distribution deserves special consideration in your upgrade strategy. Adding optional aluminium parts inevitably increases overall weight, but the location of that weight matters enormously. Upgrading components low on the chassis (like lower suspension arms) can actually improve handling by lowering the centre of gravity, whilst adding weight high up (like shock towers) might hurt performance despite the increased rigidity.

The hybrid approach works particularly well for Traxxas vehicles that see mixed use between racing and bashing. You can upgrade critical steering and suspension components for better track performance whilst keeping crash-prone areas like bumpers and skid plates in their more forgiving plastic form for durability during backyard adventures.

Timing your upgrades strategically can also save money. Rather than buying optional parts as individual components, consider purchasing complete upgrade sets when they're available. Many manufacturers offer comprehensive upgrade packages that include multiple related components at a discount compared to buying each piece separately.

Brand-Specific Considerations: Choosing the Right Optional Parts Ecosystem

Not all optional parts are created equal, and different manufacturers approach the standard-versus-optional equation in distinctly different ways. Understanding these philosophical differences can help you choose parts that align with your intended use and budget constraints.

HB Racing represents the precision-focused approach to optional parts. Their philosophy centres on offering genuinely superior performance through advanced materials and tighter manufacturing tolerances. When you buy an HB optional part, you're typically getting a component that's been tested extensively in competitive racing environments and refined based on feedback from professional drivers.

The HB optional parts ecosystem is particularly well-developed for their touring car platforms. Each component is designed to work synergistically with others in the range, so upgrading multiple related parts often delivers greater benefits than the sum of individual improvements. This integration extends to things like suspension geometry and weight distribution, where optional parts are designed to maintain the car's intended handling characteristics whilst improving precision.

• HB Racing: Precision-focused, race-tested components with excellent integration between parts
• Traxxas: Durability-oriented upgrades that maintain the brand's "ready-to-bash" philosophy
• Yokomo: Ultra-high-precision parts designed for competitive touring car racing
• Hot Bodies: Performance-focused upgrades with strong attention to weight optimisation

Traxxas takes a different approach, focusing on optional parts that enhance durability and reliability rather than ultimate performance. Their upgrade philosophy recognises that most Traxxas owners prioritise fun and dependability over lap times. This means their optional parts often feature overbuilt construction designed to handle abuse that would destroy components from other manufacturers.

What's particularly smart about the Traxxas approach is their focus on modular upgrades. You can upgrade the motor and speed control to handle more power, then add optional drivetrain components as needed to cope with the increased loads. This graduated approach prevents the common problem of over-upgrading, where enthusiasts spend money on components they'll never fully utilise.

Yokomo represents the ultimate in precision engineering, with optional parts that often incorporate technologies borrowed from full-size automotive racing. Their touring car optional parts frequently feature adjustable characteristics that allow fine-tuning for specific track conditions or driving preferences.

The downside of this precision is complexity and cost. Yokomo optional parts often require more maintenance and careful handling than their more robust counterparts from other manufacturers. They're designed for serious competitors who understand the trade-offs between ultimate performance and everyday usability.

When choosing between different manufacturers' optional parts, consider not just the component itself but the entire ecosystem. Some brands offer better parts availability, technical support, and upgrade paths than others. This long-term perspective can save both money and frustration.

Hot Bodies strikes a balance between performance and practicality, offering optional parts that deliver measurable improvements without the complexity or fragility of ultra-high-end components. Their approach works well for serious hobbyists who want better performance than standard parts provide but don't need the ultimate precision required for professional racing.

Installation and Maintenance: Getting the Most from Optional Parts

Having the right optional parts is only half the equation - proper installation and maintenance determine whether you'll actually realise their performance benefits. Optional parts often require more precise assembly and more frequent maintenance than their standard counterparts, and ignoring these requirements can actually make your car perform worse than it did with stock components.

The tools required for optional parts installation are more sophisticated than what most hobbyists use for standard maintenance. While you might get away with basic hex drivers and screwdrivers for plastic parts, aluminium and carbon fibre components often require precise torque specifications to prevent damage. Over-tightening an aluminium part can strip threads or crack the component, whilst under-tightening can lead to parts working loose during operation.

Thread preparation becomes crucial when working with optional parts. Unlike plastic components that can handle some abuse, aluminium parts require clean, properly prepared threads. Using thread locker on critical fasteners prevents loosening due to vibration, but choosing the wrong strength can make future maintenance difficult or impossible.