Serpent Viper 977 1/8 Nitro Car

Serpent Viper 977 1/8 Nitro Car

This nitro car is packed with features like new front and rear geometry, an internal drive ratio with new pullies, an updated front flex system, and more. Check out all the features below:

5mm aluminum chassis in perfect symmetrical shape for even flex and weight distribution. Aerospace quality 7075 T6 aluminum with engraved logo. Improved stiffness around the engine for better engine performance. Countersunk holes, chamfered edges for more cornering, ground clearance. Space in center part of the chassis to allow mounting of maximum 3 brass sliding weights, which are used as set-up tool, to play with chassis balance. This has big influence on steering, grip and tire wear and is very easy and quick to change. All screws from the bottom are with 2.5mm allen size.

The strong aerodynamic shaped composite bumper comes from the 966-TE . The upward edges make it more stable, so these won’t touch the surface under impact or with high temperatures.

The durable composite front body posts are eccentric , to allow moving the body to front or back a few mm to optimize steering / down force.

The new steering block , which can be mounted left or right, offers a system to change the axle position more to front or back giving a “trailing” or “leading” steering, and the ability to change the kingpin-inclination and offset.
The spring-steel steering-rods are fastened to the alu steering plates, which mount to the new steering blocks. Optional carbon fiber disks can be mounted on the side of the uprights to stiffen the assembly and for aerodynamic reasons.

The steering block is right and left the same, and features an aluminum plate to connect the steering-rods, 2 options for Ackermann.

The new longer durable front lower wishbones, are mounted super low in the car, and feature a semi covered “leg” for the inner suspension pin and the pivot link for the front anti-roll bar system, it’s also has an extension for the down-stop screw . The lower arms hold the lower alu shock mount plate, which allows a further out and higher mounting point for the front shocks. The strong new upper arms in can be used left and right. The front lower arms connect to the alu front bracket on very low nylon holders. The kit includes 2 versions, low and super low. This system also enables you to replace a front driveshafts very quick and easy.

The longer upper arms are mounted between the anodized aluminum top brackets, which also hold the suspension pin inserts to allow camber-change adjustments with 3 possible inserts . Below the alu top-brackets spacers can be used to change angle or height. Caster spacers are used as simple clips on the upper pivot pins. Same clips are also used on the lower pins to change wheelbase.

The top mounted composite bracket gives extra stiffness to the front section, it holds the 3mm thick carbon fiber front shock tower and allow for the down-stop screws.

The balanced front anti-roll bar changed to a wire type, with very easy and fast open access on the front, captured in the alu front braces. The standard wire is 2.5mm and 2 other as options. The pivot balls link system directs the power to the bar in a smooth way and easy to adjust the tweak with the captured pivot ball.

In the front the alu front axle with Japan-made one-way bearings features now an improved pulley assembly, free of play and super-true. Spring steel drive cups, strong, long and thin spring-steel driveshafts with CVD system, and balanced spring steel wheel axles with alu quick-change levers. The open front end design allows for very fast and easy removal of the front axle or parts.

The newly designed spring-loaded servo-saver allows easy and fast Ackermann settings. The servo-saver features a top mounted insert which can be used in 3 positions. Another 2 Ackermann positions on the steering blocks.

The new steering blocks and rear uprights connect to the arms with spring steel 8.5mm pivot balls , which run very smooth and well protected in nylon cups, and are easy to adjust with an allen tool.

Lowered split-design 2.5mm carbon fiber radio plate – front plate to lower the center of gravity and enable the new optional flex-control system. The front plate creates a very stiff front unit that also covers the servo saver to increase steering precision. The radio plate holds the fuel tank, the receiver battery and the integrated electronics bracket/box.

The front end construction incorporates an optional system to allow from zero flex to some flex, just as much as needed for optimal use. A smart system consisting of a bearing and bushing controls the flex. This set is optional. To allow the flex the radio plate is split in 2 sections. The main plate allows the torsion, while the front plate keep the front end rigid, so the flex occurs only where most effective. Standard the “flex-space” is filled up with an oval nylon spacer. The flex parts consists of 2 bearings and 2 inserts. By loosening the screw of the alu holder below the front of the main radio plate , the flex system can be activated ( or fasten to de-activate ).

Compact composite brace and box in one, which holds and protects the receiver and mounts both servo’s, which both lay on their sides, as low as possible, just a small clearance to allow for chassis flex. The cap of the receiver box offers a unique yet simple and safe holder for the cable connectors of the receiver, which works as a simple switch and is very accessible.
The optional carbon transponder brace mounts to the integrated electronics brace. When using a small receiver, the box has space to hold the transponder too, but must be tested for function before the race. In our test it worked.

Lower 125ccm fuel tank in a new long and narrow design, with a premounted bronze filter. The narrow tank will ensure a better fuel-supply to the engine, as the fuel can move less from side to side. The labyrinth inside the fuel tank will also keep the fuel more stable and avoids foaming. The tank also has elevated sections in the front, which make sure the fuel stays close to the filter when the tank is almost empty. This creates like a warning signal a few seconds before the tank goes fully empty, so you can try to find a safer place to park. The fuel tank has a strong spring-loaded cap and silicone rubber shaped seal, and has a connection for the pressure line. The inner bottom of the tank allows for mounting inserts to reduce volume if needed.

The composite nylon radio plate bracket, holds the rear part of the radio plate and the strong chromed angled roll-bar, and also mounts the adjustable balanced belt-tensioner. An aluminum one is optional.

The majority of the top mounted screws are in allen 2.0mm size, except for the upper suspension brackets in 2.5mm.

The battery holder between the tank and side belt , is made to fit the more common Lipo packs. There is also enough space to fit a regular battery pack. The holder incorporates an easy spacing system to allow this.

The light, hollow 8mm hard coated aluminum middle shaft is kept rigidly in place a small, low placed and light alu holder, which also holds the spring-type exhaust-wire.

The final drive ratio of the car is 2.286

28T front pulley
18T mid-inner pulley
25T mid-outer pulley
19T outer lay-shaft pulley
21T inner lay shaft pulley
48T rear axle pulley.

All the super round and true pullies have holes in the side flanges to allow dirt and dust to move out easier. The 977 has a complete new set of pullies, with more teeth, so larger diameter which makes the belts run smoother, with less friction.

The belts are low friction type as standard, rear one as 8mm, side in 6mm and front 6mm too. The adjustable balanced belt-tensioner ( carbon, alu) keeps the side belt running smooth.

The low seated anodized aluminum engine mounts keep the engine well positioned and aligned and transfer heat to the chassis in the best way.

The new rear end construction with the alu brackets holds the brake and rear axle. Its open design allows for ease of maintenance and cleaning, and needs very few screws to dis-assemble. Replacing a belt in case needed, is simple and very fast too. The center on the rear shaft allows for belt tensioning. The whole rear end can be removed as one unit from the chassis, with very few screws.

The rear axle sits lower in the car than before, to achieve more mechanical grip.

The brake moved to the rear axle, next to the solid axle pulley. This reduces the inertia effect of the brake disc a lot because the rear axle spins much slower than the two speed shaft. Also the brake-stress on the rear belt is almost gone. It’s a very compact system and well protected against dirt, but still open enough to allow for sufficient cooling. The swimming ventilated brake-disk rotates on the rear axle and the spring-loaded cam-operated brake pads will provide all the stopping power you may need. The race brake pad material is baked on strong steel plates and allows very precise braking with lots of brake-feel / feedback. Instead of a cable we opted for the well-proven wire-linkage of all Serpent cars.

The balanced brake activator is bolted in a light alu holder to the right rear bracket.

The balanced rear anti-roll bar mount in steel adaptors, which run in nylon spacers in the alu holders as integral part of the rear brackets, with 2.5mm as standard wire and 2 other as options. The anti-roll bar links to the rear lower arms with adjustable track rod guidance.

The solid rear axle with new lightweight 48T pulley in Serpent spring steel, 9mm wide with 4 slots for the pin.

The aluminum rear brackets and the 2-speed lay shaft holders have small ears which allow for mounting of the optional alu or rubber spacer, to control flex. Either full flex, no spacer, or some flex with rubber spacer, or zero flex with the aluminum spacer.
The suspension bracket and rear plate hold the pins firmly and have composite roll-center inserts to allow for fast and precise changes.

In the rear strong spring steel driveshafts , spring steel wheel-axles with alu quick-change levers and a spring steel rear axle. Very durable and lasting drivetrain

The new longer durable rear lower wishbones can be used left and right. The lower rear arm holds the low mounted link for the rear anti-roll bar and holds the alu mounting plate of the rear shocks, which allows a position which is very far to the rear and to the outside for best performance/ geometry. The lower arms also hold the easily accessible down-stop screws. Nylon clips are used on the lower rear pins to change wheelbase.

The durable composite uprights hold the balanced spring steel wheel axles, with aluminum quick-change levers. The 8.5mm pivot balls are used to adjust camber fast and easy with the smooth hex-shaped plugs . The arms of the floating body mount to the top of the uprights. On top of the up-right spacers can be added under the pivot ball to change roll center and camber change.
Optional carbon fiber disks can be mounted on the side of the uprights to stiffen the assembly and for aerodynamic reasons.

The adjustable rear upper camber links mount to the rear carbon camber plate with 2 positions .

The rear floating body mount is mounted on the up-rights with 2 arms and held in place by a carbon-fiber-steel guider. The 2 arms have 2 positions to choose from, depending on body In use. The end of the mount allow for mounting body-supports , with full threading to allow exact positioning. The system leads the available down force direct onto to the uprights to the tires.

The compact, light 2-speed gearbox comes straight from the 966, with its proven durable and effective design, superb gears and long lasting one-way. The 8mm spring steel 2-speed shaft is lightened , yet still on the safe side to prevent flex or breakage .

The innovative Serpent True Motion Centax clutch is fitted. Serpent as inventor of the original centax clutch, has developed the clutch over the years and the current version excels in power throughput , reliability and ease of setting. The standard version comes with aluminum clutch bell and hard anodized clutch-gears.

The kit features high speed ball bearings, mostly sealed ones with aero shell lubrication or grease. All bearings in the car ( except for the servo saver and brake cam) are seated in nylon bushings to reduce vibrations and play.

The shock absorbers are the latest Serpent RCM units with membranes. The threaded houses with setting-nuts ( or-ring inside) makes ride height changes easy and precise. The front and rear shock are identical. The RCM shocks are very smooth, and easy to assemble and fill. The shock springs are selected, matched, flat grinded, color-coded units, equal length front and rear.

The kit does not include engine-pipe, air filter, body, tires-wheels or electronics.
The silicone shock oil , silicone fuel line and pressure line is included.

The 977 comes with a full color assembly manual, reference guide and exploded views booklet all in one. Set-up sheets ( blank and default) are included separately, and 2 decal sheets are included as well.

Set-up possibilities:

  • Wheelbase
  • Caster
  • Trailing/leading steering
  • Offset
  • Kingpin-inclination
  • Camber
  • Camber change
  • Roll-centers
  • Ride height
  • Droop
  • Width
  • Toe-in
  • Weight balance
  • Shocks for dampening and springs, shock angle
  • Gear ratio with pullies and 2-speed and clutch
  • Anti-roll bar thickness
  • Flex/no-flex

Features

  1. Complete new platform, 90% new parts
  2. Lighter, yet still super strong and durable
  3. Lower center of gravity
  4. New front and rear geometry
  5. New internal drive ratio with new pullies
  6. Brake on the rear axle
  7. New front flex system
  8. Super easy to work on with numerous small details as per below
  9. Most parts are symmetric left/right (except front lower arms, rear 2-speed bearing blocks )
  10. Most ball bearings run in plastic bushings ( except brake-cam, servo saver)

Class: 1/8th scale gas on-road, IFMAR rules
Purpose: High-end competition
Weight: 2.420kg (depending on radio gear)
Track-width rear: 260mm – 266mm
Track-width front: 250mm – 260mm
Wheel base: Adjustable 296 – 300mm +/-1.7mm
: Engine, pipe, body, radio equipment, wheels, tires, battery pack are not included.
Chassis: 5mm 7075 aerospace quality aluminum, precision CNC machined
Radio plate: 2.5mm carbon fiber,
Suspension: Independent double wishbone suspension
Shock absorbers: RCM shock absorbers
Fuel tank: 125cc design
Rear axle: Solid rear axle
Front axle: Aluminum front axle with one-way bearings
Gearbox: Lightweight 2-speed SL8
Clutch system: Centax true Motion clutch system
Instructions: Full color Instruction manual
Adjustability: Camber, Caster, Down-stops, Up-stops, Toe-in, Track width, Wheel base, Front & rear roll center

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If you like this article, check out this additional article on Serpent.

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Updated: July 21, 2015 — 2:53 PM
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