Did some comparisons between ZZSE / Bit Clones today...

I did some comparisons today.
Here's some specs:



Running Chassis Weight
(Chassis, Motor, Transfer Gear, Rear Axle, Tires, and Hubcaps on Zip Zaps SE Chassis)
-=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=-
LXX-Char-G: 17g
MicroSizer Pro: 18g
"Cannonball Mini R/C" (Crappy knock-off of a Bit Char-G): 18g
ZipZaps SE: 26g
(for Giggles) Stretched Microsizer with 2 batteries: 21g




Body shells:
-=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=-
Microsizers Mitsubishi Evo (Clear shell, custom painted): 4g
Microsizers Honda S2000 (Factory painted): 4g
Microsizers Honda S2000 (Clear): 4g
LXX-Char-G Nissan Skyline R34 (Factory Painted): 5g
ZipZaps Stock Mustang Cobra (Factory Painted): 5g
ZipZaps F&F 2nd Gen Eclipse (Factory Painted): 5g
LXX-Char-G Mazda 3rd Gen RX7 (Clear): 6g
Cannonball Mini-RC McLaren F1 (Factory Painted): 6g
ZipZaps F&F 3rd Gen RX7 (Factory Painted): 6g
ZipZaps SE 2nd Gen RX7 (Factory Painted): 8g




Motors:
-=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=-
I tested the ZipZaps SE with the Perfection King 4.2 Pro motor, and it seems pretty peppy. To test, I put the Perfection King 4.2 (non-pro) in my LXX and ran them side by side. The LXX had an inferior motor inside, but top speed between the two was almost identical. Accelleration-wise, the ZZSE was lagging badly. Considering the fact that the motor I put in the ZZSE is MADE for accelleration, and the non-pro motor in the LXX blew it away, I'd say for things requiring good acceleration, the ZZSE is at a severe handicap. However, I retract my previous statement that the ZipZaps SE may not work with the faster motors. Not only does it work, it works VERY WELL with the faster motors. If it came down to brass tacks, a Microsizers Pro with the 4.2 Pro motor would easily beat the ZZ SE with the same, as far as top speed and acceleration are concerned.




Handling:
-=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=-
The ZipZaps SE abandons the Micro R/C indistry standard of adjustable "suspension bars", replacing them with non-adjustable metal coil springs. Overall, the ZZ SE has awesome handling that's marginally superior to the Bit Char-G related cars (all micro R/C's with a shorter wheelbase and smaller front wheels). I'd say the spring suspension helps a little, but I attribute the superior handling more to the digital proportional steering and speed. The longer wheelbase helps, as well; for one thing the ZipZaps have always been more stable and less prone to rollover while cornering at high speeds.



There you have it.

[tobenjunk]

nice review

[JackD]

Nice review. Would you say the 4.2 pro can give an SE better acceleration than a purple zz 3.4 ??

Thanks

I did the chassis and body shell weight comparisons because I figured that's part of the accelleration problem. It's easy to see that the weight is considerably higher than the bit char-g style cars. I don't have my original zipzaps chassis anymore, but I'd be willing to bet it's not much lighter than the SE. If you have to race, putting the lightest body on is a must. I still have a lexan body I made for my old ZipZaps car, but many people I race consider lightweight bodies "cheating". I wonder what they'd think of all the other crazy "unorthodox" mods I have done... multiple batteries, 3.6v cells, etc...

Also, I think they did something to the newer zipzaps, because back in the day, zipzaps could barely run with the yellow "NOS" motor (I guess it's called "turbo" now?) It wouldn't even push a 2.6. From what I've been reading though, the newer zip zaps don't suffer this problem. I've been out of the ZZ Scene for close to 9 months until just recently, as my microsizers and nikko iRacer would clean house against the ZZ all day long. It looks like Radio Shack kicked the ZipZaps project in the butt enough to make it compete.

[Jtskty]

Great info. The weights are interesting to know. Could you measure the weight of an se body?
edit - nevermind, just noticed you already did.

Originally posted by JackD
Nice review. Would you say the 4.2 pro can give an SE better acceleration than a purple zz 3.4 ??

I don't have a purple ZZ 3.4. I haven't bought any Zip Zaps stuff (except for this SE) since december, when "NOS" was the fastest there was. I'm not sure if I'm willing to burn the money to acquire an "NX" motor, considering you have to buy close to $13 worth of extras to acquire it. Quite frankly, I already have 3 of each zipzap gear ratio, 2 full sets of ZZ tire upgrades, and, if having a few extra bodies made any difference, enough of them as well. Unless they come out with an Escort Cosworth, Pugeot 206 WRC, or Focus WRC body for these cars (I'm a huge WRC nut), I'm happy with what I have.

If anyone I know ever gets the 3.4 NX motor, I'll see if I can borrow it or race against them.

Originally posted by Jtskty
Great info. The weights are interesting to know. Could you measure the weight of an se body?
edit - nevermind, just noticed you already did.

That's okay.

It's interesting that the ZZSE with it's stock Shell weighs in at a rather obese 12 grams more than the Microsizer Pro. That's about a 61% weight difference. To scale it up:

A 2003 Ford Mustang GT Weighs about 3300 pounds (I think 3273 lbs is the official figure)

The difference in weight between the MS Pro and the ZZ SE would make the Zip Zaps SE Look a lot like a Ford Expedition SUV, weighing in at around 5300 pounds.

As you can see, that's a big difference. No I'm not totally a ford nut (I love nissans and some hondas too, among plenty of others), but I think most of us have seen a mustang and an expedition.

[Jtskty]

Just like the old zz's the speed diff between them and bits seems to be a mixture of weight and electronics.

[crazydave]

Originally posted by JackD
Nice review. Would you say the 4.2 pro can give an SE better acceleration than a purple zz 3.4 ??

The 3.4 will out accellerate the 4.2 Pro in the SE any day, but the 4.2 might get a slight nod in top speed. Even with mosfets in my SE I still prefer the punch of the NX 3.4

Originally posted by crazydave
The 3.4 will out accellerate the 4.2 Pro in the SE any day, but the 4.2 might get a slight nod in top speed. Even with mosfets in my SE I still prefer the punch of the NX 3.4

I agree. if I could have good accelleration at a sacrifice of some top speed (beyond using the 12:1 Axles) I'd go for it! In real life, drag racing and ovals tend to bore me. It's not much different with R/C Cars. If I'm competing, I want it to come down to skill as well as proper set-up of the car. Real racers turn BOTH ways.

I may look into getting hooked up with a 3.4 NX motor. I'm just not sure I can justify the expense of all the other stuff that comes with it.