e298: Zip Zap SE - The Buyers Guide Series

[@christopherm8215]

I know this video is two years old now but it made me pull my zip zap out mine is a se with the silver mustang gt body and has probably sat in my closet for the last 15 years and oddly enough after all these years it still takes a charge lol. I charged it for about a minute or so and got about 5 minutes of pure nostalgia racing it around my bedroom and doing figure eights around my wife in the living room. Glad to see that these toys from my generation are still up and running and providing enjoyment. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@AMPROEngineering]

So one of mine still has its original, 20 year old battery and runs fine! I think it is because I have usually played with it a few times a year. They are really good little cars for sure.

[@semperatis]

It was great to hear the giggles and laughing when you all raced.

[@AMPROEngineering]

They were cracking up!

[@coenkaden2889]

dont know if anyone gives a shit but if you are stoned like me atm then you can stream pretty much all of the new series on instaflixxer. Been streaming with my gf during the lockdown =)

[@chandlerdarius6380]

@Coen Kaden Yea, have been using InstaFlixxer for months myself :)

[@spudjames5038]

You got really excited playing with these. It's great to see and hear. It reminds me of playing with my slot car set when I was younger. (6months ago) love the content. Keep it up.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sure thing! Glad you liked it!

[@edstar83]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJaWYodrn7KEr8k

[@Soandsoguy]

Brilliant video. Need to see the monster trucks now.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you. I dont have any sadly.

[@bonkle_boi]

Thanks for the great content! I watched this a while back and actually bought a new-in-box ZipZaps SE (blue Audi TT for $45 on eBay) and it works perfectly! After about 10 cycles through the battery, it runs for a little over 2 minutes and charges in a little under 1. I'm pretty happy with that and it doesn't seem too far off from what they were like when I was a kid. Just thought I'd add a data point for cost and how they're holding up in their boxes!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Wow that is quite remarkable to hear! My last NOS ones were dead on arrival!

[@Maverick_Van_Traveller]

I got an original Zipzaps Firebird for Christmas when I was 11 or 12. At some point later on Christmas Day my younger brother decided to play with it and tried to drive it on carpet, getting lint into the gears and wheel hubs in the process. He also managed to snap the antenna off of the transmitter. I was so mad. I was not aware of the SE range until much later, but by then they had lost their appeal to me. Very neat to see these running though, brought back some good (and some not so good) memories!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh man bummer! When i was 8 I got Transformers G1 Tracks for my birthday. I opened the package, took the car out and my mom made me let my cousin see it. I did want to but I could tell she was getting mad so I relented. I handed it to him where he immediately ripped off the left arm. I didnt forgive him until about 10 years ago where I got a parts toy car on ebay and rebuilt him. Now he is on my desk at the office...away from my cousin...who is now 35 but still.... :)

[@Maverick_Van_Traveller]

@@AMPROEngineering that same Christmas (I guess it was 2003 so I would have actually been 13) I got some money from my grandparents and used it to buy an Xmods ‘67 Camaro and some of the hop-up kits. I still have that one stashed away somewhere. Never let my brother run it! He’s 30 now and I would let him run my Lunchbox if he wanted to though. Time heals all wounds. Lol.

[@kevincat2]

Thanks for this video! Brings me back to playing and giggling with my 76 Stingray ZipZap when I was 7

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sure thing! Yeah they were a lot of fun!

[@kevincat2]

@@AMPROEngineering first video to truly give me nostalgia.

[@Merazmus]

Thanks for helping me, I just wanted to figure out how to let it charge and I figured out that it was on the whole time while I was trying to charge it, it just wasn’t charging so thanks

[@Merazmus]

never mind, the battery inside of the car exploded :(

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh no...yeah mine were all pretty nasty but that was years ago so I am sure by now they are worse. Maybe with some vinegar they can be cleaned?

[@TheVbabeBroXX]

i used to want these so bad i remember checking them out every time i went to the mall

[@AMPROEngineering]

I know, i was amazed at how good they were.

[@stower82]

Zip zaps also was combined with xmods near the end of their production. The xmod branded ones were not full proportional like the se though they did use the same dual cell battery. Their steering used a gear box and motor to steer..

[@AMPROEngineering]

I had no idea they did that.

[@GymbalLock]

I bought my first SE (I think it was the yellow RX-7) and found a weird thing. It had two steering steps in one direction and six steps in the other direction. Removing the centering spring and resetting the rack made it better, but it was really tough to drive straight. Radio Shack cancelled the SE right when they were getting really good, and returned to the standard ZZ platform. For some reason, nobody bothered to improve micro RC. The Toys R Us brand of 1:43 SuperSlicks had a lot of promise, but never went anywhere.

[@AMPROEngineering]

The QC on these was not great. The Torino was amazing, the rest were ok but all had unique characteristics. Yeah, they killed them way too soon.

[@geoffcowan2384]

Thanks! I have 3 that haven't run in years. Had no idea they offered a Herbie or I would have one of those as well. :)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sure thing!

[@NelsonVlog66]

I believe the Herbie was released as a tie_in for Herbie Fully Loaded.

[@KrissyBunnieGaming]

Wow I miss that sound of them scurrying on the hardwood... Been over 20 years!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hahah! Yeah I remember that sound too.

[@but531]

I am very impressed for the technology they have for the price and from when they made them. So small and they work kind of proportional. I didn't knew about these models. Maybe they are the only rc cars with this technology in so small scale and most important when were they made. Is amazing. Years ago I was wondering if one day we will see super micro tiny proportional rc cars and some guys they kind of did it so many years before. Just wow 👌 I am very impressed. And they have different tires rims and gears this makes them even better and worth more.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yes I totally agree. They are really, really amazing given the price and the time they came out. And that they still work with a battery change is nuts.

[@ememeable]

Love it Just heard of zip zap I wish I had a complete set 2023 maybe too !ate It is perfect

[@AMPROEngineering]

You can still locate them but all the batteries are dead now so they will need to be replaced.

[@TLSGarage]

Awesome stuff man, great video!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you!

[@Lion_McLionhead]

The lion kingdom discovered RC with a zip zap micro toy someone brought into the day job. It could almost go the length of a hallway on a charge. Those were exciting times.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh I hear that!

[@jabbathagut4192]

Just got all mine out of storage, had the box and all the fast and furious zipzaps.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Those were cool. Wish they had been the SE models.

[@vb7200]

I remember having one of these when I was very little, I totally forgot they existed! I had Herby

[@AMPROEngineering]

These SE models were super cool!

[@keithb8329]

Wow 😮. My dad brought me this a long time ago. I think I was 8 or 9 years old. I remember putting it together myself. I couldn't get it to run, then I figured out I needed to just put the small gear on the car and it worked. Still can't remember what happened to it. Sad 😢

[@AMPROEngineering]

You can find them on ebay pretty easy but getting it to work now is a different story.

[@gorrammit]

ooo! ooo! do XMODS next!!! (unless you've done those already)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Man I used to. Sold them all years ago as the electronics all failed.

[@gorrammit]

@@AMPROEngineering aww, I was hoping for some upgrade parts...

[@philipmemm]

we use to drill out the body and put the antenna in those little red drink straws for extra range lol

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh that is a good idea!

[@GeorgeTsiros]

@@AMPROEngineering mod the transmitter. Output half a watt. 27 MHz is so low it goes through walls and line-of-sight will reach next tuesday xD

[@NordicRC]

Cool ones. So how popular where they?

[@NordicRC]

Great race 🙂

[@AMPROEngineering]

These were everywhere when they came out. I think it was the company Radio Shack's last big win. There were commercials on TV all the time and for a while the stores were always sold out.

[@mikesrcgarage]

Zip Zaps lol, I have modified those things and they ran like you wouldn't believe, mod motors, gears, tires and I'll give the you best speed mod ever! The SE run a 2cell nicad battery that is stacked to make a 2.4 volt battery. Take it out this is very easy to do and replace it with 4 watch or hearing aid batteries stacked together, sorry I can not remember the exact ones so some tinkering is needed. Stack and wrap them together with a single wrap of scotch tape! Yes this is not rechargable with your controller and if you don't get the rechargable hearing aid batteries you only get a 15 minute run One time! Lol! With that said you now have a battery putting out 6volts and this makes that lil car FLY! Its well worth the effort even if you only do it once! Add the red gear set and it will do over 10mph! But you need a very large space/shop to get to top speed! Lol! Have fun and try it some time. Also add leads to the battery so you can use a regular RC car charger for a much more powerful and faster charge! "Warning do this at your own risk" lol! Crazy, I came across this video without looking for ZipZaps being I just uploaded a shorts video of my old ones... Haven't made it public yet and it's not a run video but this will motivate me to do one! Oh one more thing that track is way too small! Lol! Enjoy! 👊😎👍

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha! Love it!

[@richaleman8889]

Selling any?

[@jasonalmont7572]

Oh man I’ve been wanting the AE86 for years. Little speedy now though. I do have a non-se bumble bee though!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh i remember how they did a ton of the TF models after the movies came out!

[@creativemali188]

Happy Holi my friend

[@AMPROEngineering]

Same to you!

[@creativemali188]

I'm Kamal mali

[@manoman0]

Man, I love your intro!!!!! Is this choon available in full length?! I.need.it.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yes, look up the band "Blue Pinto" on facebook. you can get their album. This is their first album.

[@manoman0]

@@AMPROEngineering Thank you good sir!

[@MacGivre]

These cars look like very big Micro Machines ^^

[@AMPROEngineering]

You are totally right! they have those exaggerated proportions that MM had as well.

[@williamstubbs9737]

you have any videos of zip zap monster truck rebuilds? Having trouble putting bottom end together. Can't remember where all the little pieces go. Any help appreciated. and yes I did sub👍

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sorry, I do not. I have seen those on YT a few times so maybe someone else did a build?

[@adventurewagen]

When radio shack was awesome. The x mod cars were way cooler though.

[@AMPROEngineering]

They were but I had 4 of them...all stopped working within 5 years. Such a shame since I modded them so much.

[@adventurewagen]

@@AMPROEngineering what went bad? I still have mine and it works. Had the skyline and the civic. I suppose you could now swap on some hobby electronics now that they make tiny stuff.

[@Tonk-dp3ic]

You should add side wheels for the car

[@AMPROEngineering]

Lol like a Tamiya Mini 4WD! hahahah! Man that is an idea.

[@chadmiller8019]

I miss my zipzaps and my monster truck versions

[@AMPROEngineering]

They were really cool

[@creativemali188]

Nice to your video my friend

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you!

[@robertonjr10]

I have one of the Xmods Micro Gen 2, but having trouble removing the battery

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh dear, I have never seen a second gen version.

[@Mini-z1994]

16:33 sounds like you need too give the motor some bearing oil & maybe some dry lube for the rear axle itself.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah I lubed it later on.

[@bobaque70]

Nice busted my zip zaps out recently

[@AMPROEngineering]

Im glad to hear it!

[@unifiedrevelations86]

I have a Tyco Rc Python, is there anyways to upgrade that to a brushless motor?

[@AMPROEngineering]

I am sure you can but I would not. you will break the transmission immediately.

[@unifiedrevelations86]

@@AMPROEngineering transmission? I'm new to this so what do you mean? I would break the motor?

[@gorillabeartech4577]

Am I able to still find the purple NOS 34,000 rpm motor or the yellow turbo one ?….. maybe even the orange 28,000 rpm racing one ?….. I’m a big kid…… almost 34 years old and I just got back into zip zaps with a new zip zap Audi TT 2003 blue colored SE. I just got done putting it together several hours ago and tested it. Drives like a brand new Zip Zap and it came with the 21,000 stock motor. It’s the reddish pinkish one. Only stock blue geared axle and blue gear. I wanted to get more motors and gears to make it much faster then it is now…… any recommendations from you and help from you….. advice….. tips…. I would appreciate it. I had a small lot of zip zaps original and a couple se I believe but I had sold them about 5-6 years ago. I even had Xmods that I sold which I regret now but needed the money. Anyways anything you advice me on I would highly appreciate it man. I also had the monster truck zip zaps and sold them to. Now I roll with Traxxas electric brushless outdoor hobbygrade cars mainly but I wanted something small for the inside. I may end up wanting to buy a new zip zap MT or another regular zip zap. Once again any advice on where I can find “NEW” motors/gears let me know.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sorry about that, I dont know where to get them other than ebay. I do have all the motors and gear sets but found them all to be too fast. I am going to sell the whole ZipZap collection if you are interested. [e-mail]

[@gorillabeartech4577]

@@AMPROEngineering I screenshotted the reply with your email. I honestly am looking for only brand new zip zaps. I only want a max of 2-3. You do have a nice collection though. You are right about running them on the floor or on time it SUCKS…… unless if it’s the monster truck versions…. Then it is no problem. But I find that the regular cars and trucks suck at driving on carpet or tile. It needs to be vinyl flooring or a table top. I don’t want to ruin my new 2003 Audi TT so I’m just gonna keep it stock for now and run it on a safer surface so it doesn’t go flying off the table. Don’t want to drop these zip zaps too much. Keep intouch I’ll more then likely email you either way. My email will have my KZbin name in it.

[@skrewdriven6891]

i dont remember these things at all, but they look cool and now i want them...ebay here i come.

[@AMPROEngineering]

LOL! these are for sale if you are interested. [e-mail]

[@NelsonVlog66]

Was there a Back To the Future Delorean Zip Zap?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh man....I dont think so.

[@richaleman8889]

Do you know why the SE front wheels shake ?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Depends on the car. I think most of it has to do with poor electronics. I have a couple that do and a couple that didnt.

[@csi1392]

GOOP WORKS WELL TO RE SOFTEN THE TIRES

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh good call.

[@divifo]

Amazing mini cars 👏😊👍

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thanks!

[@mrpadillaofficial]

I have some that I don’t know what to do with. They need fixing. I don’t just want to throw them away

[@AMPROEngineering]

I would throw them on ebay. People are starting to get interested in them.

[@richaleman8889]

I will buy

[@christopherpoucher483]

Is the throttle proportional too?

[@AMPROEngineering]

It is on these.

[@jessmaxmj9561]

Hey love the video . Just got my hands on a zip zap se but I can't get it to charge. It flashes red then goes to orange/yellow no matter what I try any help would be awesome !

[@AMPROEngineering]

It needs a battery. The originals die after a few years. I have a whole episode on how to fix them and where to get the battery. e271

[@jessmaxmj9561]

@@AMPROEngineering thanks so much I watched it yesterday cleaned the terminals and got it to work . Now I need to track down that battery in Canada u are awesome

[@danielmirlach4655]

Also in Canada going to have to try and find the battery I have 6 zipzaps I can fix, I have some though that have spots for 4 prongs to charge from different from the zip zaps with 3 prongs? They also have a sealed plastic cover over the circuit board, are those later xmods?

[@gorillabeartech4577]

Also….. any advice on where I can find replacement batteries that are made for it let me know. I know that you linked it but I’ve barely gotten back into the zip zaps since yesterday evening. I just bought back my first brand new SE edition Audi 2003 like I said. I got it for a steal off of offerup in my local area BRAND NEW for ONLY 10 DOLLARS…… like I said I’m looking to own and collect atleast two more….. a regular edition and a MT. I know eBay sellers have the monster trucks for 75-150 bucks but that’s too expensive man. I wanted the motor upgrades for sure though…… for both mt and regular cars and trucks. I also had the zip zap transformers optimus prime before. I had a small lot of them that I had to sell because of bills which was a regret but it’s life. Anyways boss man….. when you get to these messages help me out as much as you can… I just wanted to have alittle more fun out of life while it all lasts.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Check out episode 271. That shows how to replace the battery and has a link to get a new one.

[@astridsactionrc545]

I have one original and one se. The X Men RX8 and the Initial D AE86.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh yeah they did that crossover!

[@ruruhsieh3595]

Is zip zap RC still in production? I used to play when I was a kid, but now I can hardly find this product when I grow up.

[@AMPROEngineering]

No they are long gone. I would look on ebay but they will need new batteries.

[@ruruhsieh3595]

@@AMPROEngineering Then I understand, do you know if you have replaced this brand of mini remote control car, or the same size, or no one is playing this kind of size RC now? Thanks a lot for reply

[@robinkesterlives]

I still have a hip pack somewhere in here that is filled with Bit CharG cars and upgrades from sooooo long ago. Fun stuff these Zip Zaps and the Bit CharG! :D IMagine if someone put this kind of effort into a mini-rc car today w todays tech. Not those 1/76 scale cars that are selling for $100 each. :D

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh man i remember those. They were awesome too. Those little ones are pricey but man they are good.

[@robinkesterlives]

@@AMPROEngineering I had imported quite a few, I am sure I'd wince if I knew what I paid even then when they were new from HK to USA :D

[@itsrobertvt4384]

How do you know if they are charging?

[@itsrobertvt4384]

I just bought some at a garage sale but doing know how to use them

[@AMPROEngineering]

The red light comes on when they are charging. If you got ones that have the original batteries, they will be dead. I did a video on how to change them. Link in the video

[@jawzdeadeye]

I pulled mine out after watching the battery replacement. But my tires are dried and cracked. Anyone has any ideas for replacements?

[@AMPROEngineering]

I 3D printed some in Ninja flex. I have also seen people use heat shrink tubing (2-3 layers) and that seemed to work well!

[@jawzdeadeye]

@@AMPROEngineering Thanks! I was also searching on google and someone mentioned using electricial tape around the tires and you get Drift tires.

[@jawzdeadeye]

@@AMPROEngineering Any chance you will be making a 3rd video about tire replacements? I'm replacing my old battery as we speak. Lol

[@jawzdeadeye]

Hello, any chance you will sell or release the model for the 3D print tires?

[@marcushaas44]

Damn these look awesome 😱 these actually look like standard hot wheels size 🤔

[@mikeupton5406]

Thought I saw a Fiat But it was a Bug and that's cool too. I have never seen these before. The Torino is great. The "race" was adorable and funny.

[@AMPROEngineering]

They just about are but just not too scale.

[@njyuphoto1300]

I regret bashing the absolute crap out of a couple of these as a child.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Well they were kinna fun to do that too so dont feel too bad.

[@WheelchairRCEscape]

Wow those are tiny... to cool

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thanks!

[@o0julek0o]

Are these zipzaps still being sold?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Nope, long gone sadly.

[@o0julek0o]

@@AMPROEngineering Sigh. Typical.

[@dominictoretto8232]

I think I’ve seen takumi do this before hahahaha!!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hahah! Yeah Takumi did it better than I ever could

[@ToyotaGuy1971]

What's your experience with those micro motors? Personally, I think they're unreliable junk.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I use those in a lot of project for both RC and actual work related products. They have their place but they need to be in clean environments.

[@ToyotaGuy1971]

@@AMPROEngineering Okay, thanks.

[@richaleman8889]

Anyone here have a Shelley gt possible willing to sell?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Shoot just sold mine.

[@revsworld619]

I have everyone there is and 3 track sets love these but q-steer is better check out the q-steers and zipzap collection at revs world on instagram

[@AMPROEngineering]

I didnt like those since they were not proportional. I had a few and got rid of them.

[@alexhagedorn1365]

half of mine still work fine off of the original battery... and they have definitely been used a lot through the decades by me

[@AMPROEngineering]

I think the more use they got, the more the battery hung in there. One of mine is like that too.