HBX 16889A Pro Upgrades: What to Buy First (2026)
By RcFanz Team · Updated: Nov 9, 2026
Short answer: Start with spare batteries and a balance charger, then tires, and only then touch the drivetrain. The HBX 16889A Pro already comes with a brushless motor, a 2S LiPo battery and a metal drivetrain, so the best first upgrade is more run time, not more power. Stay on 2S: we found no published 3S rating for the stock 25A ESC. The older HBX 16889 is a different, brushed truck.
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Contents
The HBX 16889A Pro is a 1/16 scale 4WD brushless truck. Sellers describe it as a ready-to-run car with a 2840-size 3,800 KV brushless motor, a 25A waterproof ESC, a 2S LiPo battery, a full metal drivetrain and oil-filled aluminum-capped shocks. It is a popular first brushless truck, and most owners ask the same thing: what should I buy first?
This guide answers that in order of value. We haven't driven this truck, so we don't give test scores. Everything below comes from the maker's and sellers' listings, and speeds are always "claimed".
HBX 16889 vs 16889A Pro: which one do you have?
The names are almost identical, but the two trucks are different cars. Check the label on the box before you buy any part.
| HBX 16889 | HBX 16889A Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale and drive | 1/16, 4WD | 1/16, 4WD |
| Motor | Brushed (390 size) | Brushless, 2840 size, 3,800 KV |
| ESC | 3-wire brushed ESC/receiver | 25A waterproof brushless ESC |
| Battery | Two 7.4 V 1,000 mAh packs in the box | One 2S 7.4 V LiPo in the box (about 1,000 mAh) |
| Claimed top speed | 36 km/h (22 mph) | Up to 48 km/h (30 mph) |
| Drivetrain | Hobby-grade brushed setup | Metal differentials, spur gear, pinion and CVD driveshafts |
| Shocks | Independent shock-absorbing suspension | Oil-filled, adjustable aluminum-capped shocks |
| Extras listed | LED headlight option | LED lights, rear wheelie bar |
If your listing says 16890A, that is another car: Haiboxing's own store lists the 16890A as a 1/16 brushless buggy, with a different body style. Match the exact model name before you order any part, because a listing that fits one HBX model does not always fit another.
Upgrade order: what to spend money on first
| Step | Upgrade | Why it comes here | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spare 2S batteries and a balance charger | Run time is the first limit. A second pack doubles your driving. | A LiPo from a brand store; a balance charger and LiPo bag |
| 2 | Tires | Traction changes how the truck feels more than any motor swap. | Tire and wheel sets (check diameter and hex) |
| 3 | Servo | A stronger servo helps steering under load. | Metal-gear servos |
| 4 | Bearings, screws and thread-lock | Cheap, and prevents the loose-screw failures that end a day early. | Bearing and screw kits, hex drivers and thread-lock |
| 5 | Metal and shock parts, only when something wears | The Pro already has a metal drivetrain and alloy shocks. | Model-matched parts only |
| 6 | Motor and ESC, last | The truck is already brushless. | See below |
Battery upgrade: stay on 2S, and match size and plug
Which battery does it use? Sellers list the stock pack as a 2S 7.4 V LiPo of about 1,000 mAh. Extra packs are sold separately.
Can you go to 3S? We could not find a published 3S rating for the stock 25A ESC or the motor, and sellers describe the truck only as a 2S system. So stay on 2S. A 3S pack is a different electrical setup, and you would be guessing about the ESC and motor limits.
What to check before you buy a spare pack
- Cell count: 2S (7.4 V).
- Connector: the plug must match the lead on the car. Read the plug type from your own battery and car, not from a photo.
- Size: the bay is small. Measure the space and compare it with the pack's length, width and height in the listing before you order. A bigger capacity pack is longer or thicker.
- Balance lead: use a balance charger that fits the pack's balance connector.
- Temperature: feel the motor, ESC and battery after the first run on any new pack. If something is too hot to touch, stop and let it cool.
Motor and ESC: do you need to change them?
Probably not first. A 3,800 KV motor on a full 2S pack works out to roughly 28,000 rpm with no load (3,800 KV x 7.4 V). That is a calculation, not a measured speed. With a motor of that KV the truck is set up for quick acceleration more than for a very high top speed.
If you want more power than the stock 2S setup gives you, that is a project: a different ESC and motor, mount and shaft size, pinion bore, gearing and a new battery plan. Work through those yourself and don't buy parts until you've confirmed each fit. Our guide to motor KV, pinions and cell counts explains the basic math.
What is already metal, and what wears first
The Pro's listing includes metal differentials, a metal spur gear and pinion, and metal CVD driveshafts, plus adjustable oil-filled shocks. That means the "metal upgrade kits" you see for the cheaper brushed 16889 are mostly not needed here. Replace parts when they fail, not before.
What usually wears first on a small basher like this:
- Tires and wheel hex pins.
- Bearings and screws, especially after sand, dust or water.
- The pinion and spur gear mesh: listen for a gritty sound, and re-set the mesh if it changes.
- Shock oil and shock seals.
- The body shell and wheelie bar after hard landings.
For the general logic of what breaks and how to fix it, see what breaks first and how to fix it.
Tires and wheels
Before you order tires, read the diameter and hex size in your manual or measure your current wheels. Tires that are too big can rub the body or load the motor. Foam-insert tires usually grip better on loose ground; harder rubber lasts longer on pavement. Whatever you choose, buy a set that lists the exact diameter and hex size you need.
Is the HBX 16889A Pro still worth buying in 2026?
It stays one of the simplest ways into brushless 1/16, because a metal drivetrain and a brushless motor are in the box. If you want a wider comparison, see our best budget brushless RC cars, and for a car with a large upgrade ecosystem, see the MJX Hyper Go guide. We haven't tested every car.
LiPo safety (read before you charge)
- Charge on a non-flammable surface, in sight, and never leave a charging pack unattended.
- Use a balance charger set to the right cell count.
- Stop using a pack that is swollen, hot, dented or damaged.
- Store packs partly charged in a LiPo-safe bag, away from heat.
- Dispose of dead packs at a battery recycling point; don't throw them in household waste.
FAQ
Is the HBX 16889A Pro brushless?
Yes. Seller listings give it a 2840-size 3,800 KV brushless motor and a 25A waterproof ESC. The older HBX 16889 is brushed, so check the model name before you buy.
Can I run a 3S battery in the HBX 16889A Pro?
We don't recommend it. We found no published 3S rating for the stock ESC or motor, and the truck is sold as a 2S (7.4 V) car. Stay on 2S unless you are ready to confirm every part yourself.
What battery does it use, and what should I check before buying a spare?
The stock pack is a 2S 7.4 V LiPo of about 1,000 mAh. Match the cell count, the plug and the size of the pack to your car, and use a balance charger.
What is the claimed top speed?
Sellers claim up to 48 km/h (30 mph) on the stock 2S pack. The brushed 16889 claims 36 km/h (22 mph). Real speed depends on battery charge, tires, surface and gearing, and it is usually lower than the claim.
HBX 16889 or HBX 16889A Pro: what is the difference?
The 16889 is brushed with a smaller motor and two packs in the box. The 16889A Pro is brushless, with a metal drivetrain, alloy-capped shocks and a wheelie bar.
Is the HBX 16890A the same car as the 16889A Pro?
No. Haiboxing's own store lists the 16890A as a 1/16 brushless buggy. The 16889A Pro is a truck. Don't mix up their parts.
Do HBX 16889 parts fit the 16889A Pro?
Not always. Some part listings name several models, others name only one. Read the model names in the listing and match them to your car before you order.
More guides
Up: Best budget brushless rc cars. Sideways: MJX Hyper Go upgrades, motor KV, pinions and cell counts, what breaks first. Home: RcFanz in English.