Article 3: Brass vs Tungsten - Which Weight Upgrade Is Better for Your SCX24?

If you've spent any time researching SCX24 upgrades, you've probably heard the same advice over and over:

"Add weight down low."

Weight placement is one of the most effective ways to improve crawling performance, and for years brass has been the go-to solution.

Recently, however, tungsten has become increasingly popular among competitive crawlers looking to maximize performance.

So which material is actually better?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and driving style.

In this guide we'll compare brass and tungsten, explain how each affects performance, and help you decide which option makes the most sense for your build.

Why Weight Matters on an SCX24

Before comparing materials, it's important to understand why weight matters in the first place.

Adding weight low on your crawler helps:

Improve climbing ability
Increase traction
Reduce tire bounce
Improve sidehill stability
Lower the center of gravity
Keep tires planted on technical obstacles

The key isn't simply adding weight.

The key is placing weight where it provides the greatest benefit.

The Golden Rule of Weight Placement

Not all weight helps performance equally.

Generally speaking:

Best Locations

✔ Steering Knuckles

✔ Wheel Weights

✔ Weight Hangers

✔ Axles

Less Effective Locations

✖ Roof

✖ Body

✖ Electronics Tray

✖ High Chassis Locations

A small amount of weight low on the vehicle is often more effective than a large amount of weight mounted high.

What Is Brass?

Brass is a dense metal commonly used in RC crawling upgrades.

Popular brass upgrades include:

Knuckles
Wheels
Wheel rings
Diff covers
Servo mounts
Weight hangers

Advantages of Brass

Affordable

Brass is significantly less expensive than tungsten.

Widely Available

Nearly every crawler manufacturer offers brass upgrades.

Easy to Tune

Brass products are available in a wide range of weights and styles.

Proven Performance

Brass has been used successfully in competition and recreational crawling for years.

Disadvantages of Brass

Larger Size Required

To achieve a certain weight, brass requires more material volume than tungsten.

Packaging Limitations

In some areas there simply isn't enough room to fit additional brass weight.

What Is Tungsten?

Tungsten is one of the densest metals commonly available for RC crawling applications.

Because it is significantly denser than brass, tungsten allows builders to place more weight into smaller spaces.

Advantages of Tungsten

More Weight in Less Space

This is tungsten's biggest advantage.

A tungsten part can often provide substantially more weight than a similarly sized brass component.

Better Packaging

More weight can be placed exactly where it's needed.

Cleaner Builds

Many tungsten upgrades achieve desired weight targets without creating bulky assemblies.

Competition Advantage

Many top-level competitive drivers now rely heavily on tungsten.

Disadvantages of Tungsten

Cost

Tungsten is significantly more expensive.

Availability

Fewer companies manufacture tungsten components.

Diminishing Returns

Many casual drivers may not notice enough performance improvement to justify the cost.

Density Comparison

The reason tungsten performs differently comes down to density.

Approximate densities:

MaterialDensity

Aluminum2.7 g/cm³

Steel7.8 g/cm³

Brass8.5 g/cm³

Tungsten19.3 g/cm³

Tungsten is more than twice as dense as brass.

That means a similarly sized tungsten component can provide dramatically more weight.

Real-World Performance Differences

Let's be honest.

If you're comparing a stock SCX24 to a properly weighted SCX24, you'll notice a huge difference.

If you're comparing brass to tungsten?

The difference becomes much smaller.

Recreational Crawling

For backyard obstacles, trails, and general crawling:

Brass often provides all the performance most drivers need.

Competition Crawling

Competition drivers frequently seek:

Maximum front bias
Lower center of gravity
Better sidehill capability
Every possible performance advantage

This is where tungsten begins to shine.

Where We Recommend Using Brass

Brass is usually the best value for:

Beginners
Budget Builds
Trail Trucks
General Crawling

Brass upgrades provide significant performance gains without requiring a major investment.

Where We Recommend Using Tungsten

Tungsten makes the most sense for:

Drivers Chasing Every Advantage
Competition Builds
Lightweight Chassis Builds
Maximum Performance Setups

When space becomes limited and every gram matters, tungsten becomes difficult to beat.

Hybrid Setups: The Best of Both Worlds

Many experienced builders use a combination of both materials.

Example:

Brass wheels
Brass axle components
Tungsten knuckles
Tungsten weight hangers

This approach balances performance and cost while maximizing weight placement.

Common Weight Upgrade Mistakes

Adding Too Much Weight

More weight isn't always better.

Excessive weight can:

Stress driveline components
Reduce efficiency
Increase rollover risk

Ignoring Weight Distribution

Weight placement matters more than total weight.

Prioritizing Rear Weight

Most SCX24 builds benefit from front-biased weight distribution.

Our Recommendation For Most Drivers

Hybrid setup

It offers outstanding performance, reasonable cost, and a proven track record.

For Serious Competitors

Consider tungsten.

Its higher density allows more precise tuning and greater performance potential.

For Maximum Value

Use both.

A carefully planned combination of brass and tungsten often provides the best overall results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tungsten better than brass?

From a performance standpoint, yes. Tungsten is denser and allows more weight in less space.

Is tungsten worth the extra cost?

For competitive crawling, often yes. For casual crawling, brass usually provides better value.

How much weight should I add to my SCX24?

There is no universal answer. The ideal amount depends on terrain, tire choice, chassis setup, and driving style.

Where should I add weight first?

Most drivers should start with:

Knuckles
Weight hangers
Wheels

These locations provide some of the greatest performance gains.

Final Thoughts

Both brass and tungsten can dramatically improve SCX24 performance when used correctly. The most important factor isn't necessarily which material you choose—it's where you place the weight.

For most drivers, brass remains the best balance of performance and affordability. For competitors chasing every possible advantage, tungsten offers unmatched density and tuning potential.

Whether you're building your first crawler or refining a competition rig, understanding weight placement is one of the fastest ways to improve performance on the rocks.

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