Serpent Viper 977 1/8 Scale On Road Kit

This is the Serpent Viper 977 1/8 Scale On Road Kit. The Serpent Viper 977 is more than an updated 966. This top level 1/8 scale nitro on road kit is a completely redesigned platform, with 90% of the parts being unique to this chassis. The car is lighter than the previous model, but remains strong and durable, with a lower center of gravity. The front and rear geometry has been updated, with a majority of the components being symmetric and compatible on either the right or left side of the chassis, while numerous small details have been added to make the car easier to work on. The Viper 977 uses the SL8 gearbox from the 966, but features an updated internal drive ratio and redesigned pulleys, as well as a brake on rear axle design. This, combined with Serpent Spring Steel drivetrain components and the innovative Serpent True Motion Centax clutch delivers incredible power delivery, reliability and easy tuning adjustments. The design allows the use of the optional Serpent Front Flex System for increased adjustment possibilities, while the equal length RCM shocks were chosen to help keep the car planted in any condition.

Viper 977 Features at a Glance:

• Completely redesigned platform, 90% new parts
• Lighter, yet still strong and durable
• Lower center of gravity
• Redesigned front and rear geometry
• Updated internal drive ratio with redesigned pulleys
• Brake on the rear axle
• Front flex system
• Easy to work on with numerous small details
• Most parts are symmetric left/right (except front lower arms & rear 2-speed bearing blocks)
• Most ball bearings run in plastic bushings (except brake-cam & servo saver)

In Depth Features:

• Chassis: Symmetrical shape 5mm aluminum chassis delivers even flex and weight distribution, with improved stiffness around the engine for consistent engine performance. Countersunk holes and chamfered edges help to increase ground clearance for improved cornering. The space in the center of the chassis allows mounting of maximum 3 brass sliding weights, which are used to adjust the chassis balance. This has big influence on steering, grip and tire wear and is very easy and quick to change.
• Bumper: The strong aerodynamic shaped composite 966-TE bumper has been designed with upward edges so they wont touch the surface under impact or in high temperatures for stability.
• Front Body Posts: The durable composite front body posts are excentric and allow you to shift the body forwards or back a few mm to optimize steering and down force.
• Steering Blocks: The steering blocks, can be mounted on either left or right side and use a system that allows you to change the axle position in either a “trailing” or “leading” axle position. They also allow you to change the kingpin-angle and offset, with 2 options for Ackermann position.
• Steering Rods: The spring-steel steering-rods are fastened to aluminum steering plates that mount to the updated steering blocks. Optional carbon fiber disks can be mounted on the side of the uprights to stiffen the assembly and tune the aerodynamics.
• Front Lower Wishbones: The longer and more durable front lower wishbones are mounted low in the chassis and feature a semi covered “leg” for the inner suspension pin and the pivot link for the front anti-roll bar system. It also has an extension for the down-stop screw. The lower arms hold the lower aluminum shock mount plate, which allows a further out and higher mounting point for the front shocks. The strong upper arms can be used in both the left and right position. The front lower arms connect to the aluminum front bracket on very low nylon holders. The kit includes 2 versions, low and super low. This system also enables you to replace the front driveshafts quickly and easily.
• Upper Arms: 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 aluminum top-brackets, spacers can be used to change angle or height. Caster spacers are used as simple clips on the upper pivot pins and the same clips are also used on the lower pins to change the wheelbase.
• Top Mounted Composite Bracket: The top mounted composite bracket gives extra stiffness to the front end, holds the 3mm thick carbon fiber front shock tower and allow for the down-stop screws.
• Front Anti-Roll Bar: The ball raced front anti-roll bar has been changed to a 2.5mm wire type captured in the aluminum front braces for easy and fast open access on the front. The pivot ball link system directs the power to the bar in a smooth way and the captured pivot ball makes it easier to adjust the tweak.
• Aluminum Front Axle: The aluminum front axle features Japanese made one-way bearings and an improved free of play, super-true pulley assembly. Spring steel drive cups, strong, long and thin spring-steel CVD driveshafts, and ball raced spring steel wheel axles with aluminum quick-change levers. The open front end design allows for fast and easy removal of the front axles or parts.
• Servo Saver: The re-designed spring loaded servo-saver allows easy and fast Ackermann settings. The servo-saver features a top mounted insert that can be used in 3 positions, and another 2 Ackermann positions on the steering blocks.
• 8.5mm Pivot Balls: The steering blocks and rear uprights connect to the arms with spring steel 8.5mm pivot balls that run very smooth, are protected in nylon cups, and are easy to adjust with a hex driver.
• Radio Plate: Lowered split-design 2.5mm carbon fiber radio plate – front plate lowers the center of gravity and allows you to add the 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.
• Front Flex System: The front end construction incorporates the use of an optional (not included) flex system that allows zero flex to some flex, as needed for optimal performance. The system uses 2 bearings and 2 inserts to control the flex. The flex system is activated by loosening the screw in the aluminum holder below the front of the main radio plate, and fastened to de-activate. 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. In the standard configuration the “flex-space” is filled up with an nylon oval shaped spacer.
• Receiver Box: The compact and composite receiver box combines the brace and box into one unit, which holds and protects the receiver and mounts both servo’s. Both servos are mounted on their sides, as low as possible with a small amount of clearance to allow for chassis flex. The cap of the receiver box has a unique yet simple and safe holder for the cable connectors of the receiver, which works as a simple switch and is very accessible. An optional (not included) carbon transponder brace mounts can be mounted to the integrated electronics brace. When using a small receiver, the box has room to hold the transponder too. Serpent recommends you test for function before the race. It worked in Serpent's testing.
• Composite Nylon Radio Plate Bracket: The composite radio plate bracket holds the rear part of the radio plate and the strong chromed angled roll-bar. It also mounts the adjustable ball raced belt-tensioner.
• 125cc Fuel Tank: The low profile 125cc fuel tank has a redesigned long and narrow shape, with a pre-mounted bronze filter. The narrow tank provides a better fuel-supply to the engine, as the fuel can move less from side to side. The baffling inside the fuel tank keeps the fuel more stable and helps to prevent foaming. The tank also has elevated sections in the front, to keep the fuel 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 seal with a connection for the pressure line. The inner bottom of the tank allows for mounting inserts to reduce volume if needed.
• Hardware: The majority of the top mounted screws are 2.0mm size hex, except for the upper suspension brackets that use 2.5mm. All screws installed from the bottom are 2.5mm hex size.
• Battery Holder: The battery holder incorporates a spacing system that was made to fit common size Lipo packs, with enough space to fit a regular NiMH battery. The battery is installed between the tank and side belt.
• Aluminum Middle Shaft: The light, hollow 8mm hardcoated aluminum middle shaft is kept rigidly in place a small, low placed and light aluminum holder, which also holds the spring-type exhaust-wire.
• Pulleys: The 977 has a complete set of redesigned larger diameter pulleys, with more teeth, This makes the belts run smoother, with less friction. The pulleys are perfectly round and true, with holes in the side flanges to allow dirt and dust to move out easier. 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
• Belts: The belts are low friction type, 8mm rear, with 6mm side and front. The adjustable ballraced carbon/aluminum belt tensioner keeps the side belt running smooth.
• Engine Mount: The low seated anodized aluminum engine mounts keep the engine well positioned and aligned, and allow efficient heat transfer to the chassis.
• Rear End: The redesigned rear end uses aluminum brackets to hold the brake and rear axle. Its open design allows easy maintenance and cleaning, with only a few screws needing to be removed for disassembly. The whole rear end can be removed as one unit from the chassis, with very few screws and Belt removal is simple and fast too. The excenter on the rear shaft allows for belt tensioning.
• Rear Axle: The rear axle sits lower in the car than before, to provide more mechanical grip.
• Brakes: The brake has been moved to the rear axle, next to the solid axle pulley. This reduces the inertia effect of the brake disc because the rear axle spins slower than the two speed shaft. Also the brake-stress on the rear belt has been almost eliminated. It’s a very compact system and well protected against dirt, but still open enough to allow for sufficient cooling. The floating ventilated brake-disk rotates on the rear axle and the spring loaded cam-operated brake pads will provide all the stopping power you need. The race brake pad material is baked on strong steel plates and delivers a precise braking feel with lots of feedback. Instead of a cable design, Serpent chose the proven wire-linkage used on all Serpent cars.
• Rear Anti-Roll Bar: The ball raced rear anti-roll bar mount in steel adapters, run in nylon spacers in the aluminum holders as an integral part of the rear brackets. A 2.5mm wire is included as standard. The anti-roll bar links to the rear lower arms with adjustable track rod guides.
• Rear Axle: The solid rear axle with and lightweight 48T pulley are made from Serpent spring steel. The pulley is 9mm wide with 4 slots for the pin.
• Aluminum Rear Brackets & Layshaft Holders: The aluminum rear brackets and the 2-speed layshaft holders have small ears which allow for mounting of the optional aluminum (not included) or rubber spacer, to control flex. Either full flex, with 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.
• Spring Steel Driveshafts: In the rear strong spring steel driveshafts, wheel-axles with aluminum quick-change levers, and a spring steel rear axle provide a durable, long lasting drivetrain.
• Rear Lower Wishbones: The redesigned longer, yet durable rear lower wishbones can be used on either the left or right side. The lower rear arm holds the low mounted link for the rear anti-roll bar and holds  the aluminum mounting plate of the rear shocks, which allows a position which is very far to the rear and to the outside for improved 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.
• Rear Uprights: The durable composite uprights hold the ball raced spring steel wheel axles, with aluminum quick-change levers. 8.5mm pivot balls are used to adjust camber quick and easy with the smooth hex-shaped plugs. The arms of the floating body mount are mounted to the top of the uprights. Spacers can be added under the pivot ball on top of the up-right to change roll center and camber. Optional carbon fiber disks can be mounted on the side of the uprights to stiffen the assembly and tune the aerodynamics.
• Rear Camber Links: The adjustable rear upper camber links mount to the rear carbon camber plate, with 2 mounting positions to choose from.
• Rear Body Mount: The floating rear body mount is mounted on the up-rights with 2 arms, and is held in place by a carbon fiber/steel guide. The arms have 2 positions to choose from, depending on which body you choose. The end of the mount allows you to mount body-supports, with full threading to allow exact positioning. The system directs the available down force direct onto to the uprights and to the tires.
• SL8 Gearbox: The compact, and lightweight SL8 2-speed gearbox is 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 strong enough to prevent flex or breakage. 
• True Motion Centax Clutch: The innovative Serpent True Motion Centax clutch was chosen for its power delivery, reliability and ease of setting. Serpent is the inventor of the original centax clutch, and has  refined the design over the years and the True Motion version excels in every way. The standard version comes with an aluminum clutch bell and hard anodized clutch-gears.
• Bearings: The kit features high speed ball bearings, with aeroshell lubrication or grease. All bearings in the car (except for the servo saver and brake cam) are seated in nylon bushings to reduce vibration and play. 
• Shocks: The shock absorbers are the latest Serpent RCM units with membranes. The RCM shocks are very smooth, and easy to assemble and fill. The shock springs are selected, matched, flat ground, and color coded units, and are equal length front and rear. The threaded bodies with setting-nuts make ride height changes easy and precise and the front and rear shocks are identical.

Specifications:
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

Includes:

• Viper 977 kit
• Silicone shock oil
• Silicone fuel line and pressure line 
• Full color assembly manual, reference guide and exploded view booklet
• Set-up sheets (blank and default)
• (2) decal sheets

Needed to Complete:

• Radio system (transmitter and receiver)
• Personal transponder
• Steering & throttle servos
• Engine
• Manifold & exhaust
• Starter box & starter box battery pack
• Receiver battery pack
• Glowplug igniter
• Battery charger
• 1/8-scale bodyshell & Polycarbonate paint
• Wheels & tires
• Model R/C car fuel (nitromethane)
• Tools

This product was added to our catalog on May 9, 2013