The Tamiya TT-02 upgrades available for this chassis are one of the reasons it’s become one of the most popular RC cars in the world. It’s affordable, easy to build, well supported by Tamiya’s own option parts range and endlessly upgradeable. Whether you’ve just finished your first build or you’ve been running the same car for years, there’s always something you can do to make it better.
At Cleveland Models in Middlesbrough we stock a wide range of TT-02 option parts and we help TT-02 owners improve their cars every week. This guide covers the best upgrades in order of priority, starting with the most impactful and accessible.
What Is the Tamiya TT-02?
The TT-02 is a 1/10 scale shaft driven 4WD touring car chassis. It uses a longitudinal layout with the battery on the left and the motor on the right for excellent stability. It features identical left and right suspension arms and uprights for easy assembly, easy to maintain gearboxes and offers two different wheelbases, two ground clearance settings, two tread setups and ten possible gear ratios. It’s a hugely adaptable platform that works equally well as an on-road touring car, a rally car or a light off-road machine.
Upgrade 1: Ballrace Kit – Do This First
Before anything else, replace the stock plastic bushings with a full set of ball bearings. This is universally agreed to be the single most important first upgrade on any Tamiya model. The TT-02 uses 16 bearings in total.
Replacing the plastic bushings with sealed ball bearings reduces friction throughout the drivetrain, which means faster acceleration, higher top speed, longer battery run times and less heat generated by the motor. The difference is immediately noticeable and the upgrade takes less than an hour.
We stock ballrace kits for the TT-02 in our Accessories & Parts section. It’s the first thing we’d recommend to any TT-02 owner.
Upgrade 2: Aluminium Motor Mount
The stock TT-02 motor mount is plastic and can flex under load, which affects gear mesh and drivetrain efficiency. An aluminium motor mount is a direct replacement that eliminates this flex, maintains consistent gear mesh and improves the overall rigidity of the rear end. It’s an inexpensive upgrade that makes a noticeable difference.
Upgrade 3: Oil Filled Dampers
The stock TT-02 comes with friction dampers, which are essentially spring and plastic piston units with no oil. Upgrading to Tamiya’s CVA oil filled dampers is a significant improvement in handling. Oil dampers provide controlled, consistent suspension movement that responds properly to bumps and surface changes. The car becomes much more predictable and easier to drive smoothly, particularly at higher speeds.
Tamiya’s CVA damper sets are available in various lengths and spring rates to suit on-road, rally and light off-road use. Browse our TT-02 option parts for the right set for your setup.
Upgrade 4: Aluminium Steering Parts
The TT-02 steering assembly uses plastic parts that can introduce slop and flex, which translates to imprecise steering response. Upgrading to aluminium steering knuckles and hub carriers tightens up the steering considerably. You’ll notice more direct, accurate steering with less dead zone around centre, which makes the car more enjoyable to drive and easier to control at speed.
Upgrade 5: Brushless Motor and ESC
If you’re running the stock 540 brushed motor and want a significant performance boost, upgrading to a brushless system is the most transformative thing you can do to a TT-02.
A brushless motor delivers more power, higher top speed, better efficiency and longer run times than a brushed motor of equivalent size. It also lasts significantly longer as there are no carbon brushes to wear out.
For the TT-02, a sensored brushless system is recommended over a sensorless one. Sensored systems provide smooth, controlled power delivery at low speeds which is important for a touring car chassis. Tamiya’s own TBLE-02S ESC is compatible with both brushed and brushless motors and is a reliable choice for a TT-02 brushless upgrade. For a more performance focused setup, the Hobbywing Xerun series paired with a sensored motor is a popular choice among TT-02 racers.
Browse our range of Tamiya brushless kits for complete brushless upgrade options.
Upgrade 6: Pinion and Spur Gear
The TT-02 offers ten possible gear ratios which is one of its great strengths as a platform. Changing the pinion gear is a quick and inexpensive way to tune the car for different conditions. A smaller pinion gives more torque and acceleration, ideal for rough surfaces and tight tracks. A larger pinion gives higher top speed, better for smooth open circuits.
If you’ve upgraded to a brushless motor, revisiting your gearing is essential. More power generally requires shorter gearing to protect the motor and ESC from overloading.
Upgrade 7: Hard Lower Deck
The standard TT-02 lower deck is plastic and can flex, particularly when running on rough surfaces or with a brushless setup. Tamiya produce a hard lower deck option for the TT-02 that significantly stiffens the chassis, improving handling consistency and reducing the torsional flex that can affect suspension geometry during hard cornering.
Upgrade 8: Touring Car Tyres and Wheels
If you’re running the TT-02 as an on-road touring car, the right tyres make a huge difference to handling and lap times. Tamiya produce a range of touring car tyres in different compounds for different surfaces and temperatures. Harder compounds suit warmer conditions and carpet tracks while softer compounds work better on cold tarmac.
Tips for Upgrading Your TT-02
When planning your Tamiya TT-02 upgrades, start with the ballrace kit. It’s the cheapest and most impactful upgrade and sets a solid foundation for everything that follows.
Upgrade incrementally. Don’t try to do everything at once. Make one change at a time so you can feel the difference each upgrade makes and identify any issues before adding more variables.
Match your upgrades to your use. A casual bashing car doesn’t need the same setup as a competitive club racer. Think about how and where you drive before spending money on performance parts.
Keep your gearing appropriate for your power level. This is especially important after a brushless upgrade. Running too long a gear with too powerful a motor will cause overheating and shorten the life of your electronics.
Come and See Us
Whether you’re just getting started with your first TT-02 build or you’re looking to take your existing car to the next level, pop into Cleveland Models in Middlesbrough. We stock a comprehensive range of TT-02 option parts, Tamiya brushless kits and accessories, and our team are always happy to advise on the best upgrades for your budget and driving style.
Cleveland Models, Unit 35-36 Forbes Building, 311-321 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough TS1 4AW. Tel: 01642 241511.