Serpent 35th Anniversary Limited Edition Viper 977 EVO

Serpent 35th Anniversary Limited Edition Viper 977 EVO

Serpent 35th Anniversary Limited Edition Viper 977 EVO (3) Serpent 35th Anniversary Limited Edition Viper 977 EVO (5) Serpent 35th Anniversary Limited Edition Viper 977 EVO (8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Serpent:

Viper 977 EVO 1/8 GP 4wd 35th Anniversary Limited Edition, 350 only. Special version with: Serpent lap-top size bag with embroidered logo special Serpent cap with logo and 35 embroidered black edition with machined edges for all alu parts, super nice looks Chassis in black with engraved logo and limited car number XXX / 350 USB memory stick carbon look ( with Manual, set-ups, Serpent 35year anniversary booklet with history of Serpent, Serpent tool brochure) + new chassis stiffener + carbon aero disks fr and rr + central flex-set + brass chassis weight x1 + alu servos saver set + transponder holder carbon + alu wheel-axles fr and rr, and steel rr cvd’s Gas-powered top-level racecar with 4wd, belt-drive, Centax true motion clutch, XLi8 gearbox, flex-system front and rear, brake on rear axle, front one-ways, rear solid axle, ballraced anti-rollbars. A fully adjustable race chassis to the latest spec and technology. Design by Michael Salven.

General Features:

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 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. The upward edges make it more stable, so these won’t touch the surface under impact or with high temperatures.  As extra feature offers removable inserts.  It’s very easy and quick to test with or without inserts in a matter of seconds

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

The 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 steering block features an aluminum plate to connect the steering-rods, 2 options for Ackermann.

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 long 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 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, wide and narrow.   This whole system also enables you to replace a front drive shafts 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 ballraced front anti-roll bar is 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 drive shafts with CVD system, and ballraced 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 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 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.

2.5mm carbon fiber radio plate with the center flex-control system. The radio plate holds the fuel tank, the receiver battery and the integrated electronics bracket/box, as well as the center flex system

The new center flex system consist of a lower and upper CNC machined aluminum bracket and a small carbon brace.  The upper one is fixed to the radio plate and the lower one to the center radio plate mount.
In rigid standard positon the upper and lower brackets are mounted fixed with 2 screws.
In the flex position the 2 bearings are in place and with the 2 screws dis-assembled, offer the central chassis flex.

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.

Low 125ccm fuel tank in a 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 ballraced 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 layshaft pulley
  • 48T rear axle pulley.

All the super round and true pulleys have holes in the side flanges to allow dirt and dust to move out easier.  The 977 has the latest pulleys, 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 ballraced 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 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 excenter 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 very low in the car, to achieve more mechanical grip.

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

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

The aluminum rear brackets and the 2-speed layshaft 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 drive shafts, spring steel wheel-axles with alu quick-change levers and a spring steel rear axle.  Very durable and lasting drivetrain

The long 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 ballraced 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 mount has 4 positions each side 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 downforce direct onto to the uprights to the tires.

2-speed gearbox SL8 XLi with super low inertia

All the parts of the gearbox have been made smaller and as light as possible, still keeping durability on top of the list.   The gears changed to a 0.9 pitch which is smoother than the original one.  The Serpent gearbox system was our innovation in the late 80-ties and the system hardly changed, only optimized, and now as system in use with all other brands.

Composite 2-speed gears with 0.9 pitch

Smaller lighter gears and with 0.9 pitch for smoothness and performance.  The precision machined and hard coated gears are durable and smooth.

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 throughout, reliability and ease of setting.   The standard version comes with a steel clutch bell, red centax show 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 brakecam) 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 (o-ring inside) makes ride height changes easy and precise.    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-evo comes with a full color assembly manual Online as PDF, reference guide and exploded views all in one.  Set-up sheets (blank and default) are ready to download separately, and 2 decal sheets are included in the box.

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 pulleys and 2-speed and clutch
  • Anti-roll bar thickness
  • Flex/no-flex

Specifications:

  • 4wd belt-driven race car
  • 2-speed gearbox and Centax race clutch
  • Independent suspension with hydraulic shocks
  • Front shaft with one ways and rear solid axle
  • 5mm aluminum chassis with weight slider system
  • 2.5mm carbon radio plate with flex system
  • Aluminum bearing blocks front and rear
  • Central rear axle brake
  • Front cvd, rear dogbone drive, both with quick change wheel system/axles
  • Ball raced front and rear anti-roll bars

2-speed gearbox SL8 XLi with super low inertia

All the parts of the gearbox have been made smaller and as light as possible, to lower inertia even further, still keeping durability on top of the list.   The gears changed to a 0.9 pitch which is smoother than the original one.  The Serpent gearbox system was our innovation in the late 80-ties and the system hardly changed, only optimized, and now as system in use with all other brands.

Key new features:

  • 2-speed gearbox SL8 XLi with super low inertia
  • Composite 2-speed gears with 0.9 pitch
  • Centax hard coated alu clutch gears with 0.9 pitch
  • Aluminum chassis plate in 7075 T6 with optimized flex and weights slide
  • Carbon fiber 2.5mm radio plate with aluminum mid-flex system
  • Aluminum central flex system with bearings
  • Front bumper with inserts
  • New geometry with narrower front end
  • Improved rear body mount

Centax

Centax hard coated alu clutch gears with 0.9 pitch
To go with the 0.9 pitch gears, the Centax gear pinions also needed to go to the 0.9 pitch. The precision machined and hard coated gears are durable and smooth.  The Centax clutch is a Serpent innovation from the early nineties, and is in use by almost all brands now.

Chassis

Aluminum chassis plate in 7075 T6 with optimized flex and weights slide
The chassis plate is a very important part as central unit in the car.   The flex-characteristic is a major point, as well as weight balance with the sliders we apply and the dissipation of heat from the engine. The chassis is narrower in the front to allow a slightly different geometry. 2 sets of front lower pivot pins holders are included to change the geometry, run it narrow or wide. Machining of the chassis allows flex in a different area as before, and can be influenced by using the carbon brace.

New geometry with narrower front end

The narrower chassis in front allows to run a slightly different geometry in the front.

Radio plate

Carbon fiber 2.5mm radio plate with aluminum mid-flex system
The stiff carbon fiber radio plate is one piece again with the flex system moving to the center of the car, just behind the tank.

Central flex

Aluminum central flex system with bearings
The system consist of a lower and upper anodized aluminum section, connected with screws for zero flex, or with bearings inside for some controlled flex.  It needs removal of only 2 screws to go from fixed to controlled flex.

Bumper

Front bumper with inserts
The newly developed front aero type bumper is a very durable unit, which as extra feature offers removable inserts.  It’s very easy and quick to test with or without inserts in a matter of seconds.

Body mount rear

Extra ribs and more material is added  to increase the stiffness of the rear body mount and a 4th hole is added both sides for more tuning options

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Updated: December 22, 2015 — 12:56 AM
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