SER903010 Serpent Serpent 966 -TE 1/8 Scale 4WD

Serpent 1/8 scale 4wd gaspowered racing car chassis in the Team edition. Serpent
966 is the next generation race-car based on the highly successfull Serpent
960 platform.

Specifications:

• Class: 1/8th scale gas on-road, IFMAR rules
• Purpose: High-end competition
• Major titles: 2.520kg (depending on radio gear)
• Weight: 260mm – 266mm
• Track-width rear: 250mm – 260mm
• Track-width front: Adjustable 296 – 300mm +/-1.7mm
• Wheel base: Adjustable +/- 3mm (rear)
• Chassis: 5mm 7075 aerospace quality aluminium, precision CNC machined
• Radio plate: 2.5mm carbon fibre
• Suspension: Independent double wishbone suspension
• Shock absorbers: RCC-X shock absorbers, pre assembled
• Fuel tank: 125cc design
• Rear axle: Solid rear axle
• Front axle: Aluminium front axle with one-way bearings
• Gearbox: Lightweight 2-speed SL8
• Clutch system: Centax-II clutch system, hard anodized alu. gears 16-19T
  std
• Instructions: Full colour Instruction manual and Set-up guide
• Adjustability: Camber, Caster, Down-stops, Up-stops, Toe-in, Track width,
  Wheel base, Front and rear roll centre
• Not Included: Engine, pipe, body, radio equipment, wheels, tires, battery
  pack

Features:

• SL8 gearbox included, for lower inertia
• front aero bumper
• split-type carbon radioplate with flex-control, and front stiffner/support
• new front upper geometry with inner pivots more out and shorter upper arms,
  for more corner entry grip and more corner speed
• new rear upper geometry wth new camber-bracket, and upper camber-rods instead
  wishbone
• rear lower shockmounts/extenders in carbon, for new shock-angle
• new style tank-top/tank-cap ( same as S811 )

Rear Suspension
The rear end geometry provides excellent rear end grip and provides a very stable
car both under braking and at exiting corners. The OS 2 uprights sport small bearings
to reduce un sprung weight, 3 upper arm mounting positions and the possibility
to use shims for changing the roll centres. Strong lower wishbones with sufficient
material around the pivot pin and pivot balls, and the upper arms allow easy adjustment
of the camber and camber rise. Longer body mount arms provide more down force
to the wheels yet have no binding due to their mounting position.

Rear Body Mount
The rear body mount on the Serpent 966 can be connected in several different
ways to increase or decrease the downforce transmitted from the body to the
rear wheels. There are longer body mount arms, that are mounted to the rear
uprights at axle level which provides more down force to the wheels. The whole
assembly is also free from binding, meaning there is no restriction of the movement
on the suspension.

Rear Anti-roll Bar
The wire type rear anti-roll bar on the Serpent 966 is ball-raced for extra
precision and more accuracy.The blade type rear anti-roll bar is optional.

Adjustable Rear Roll Center and Camber Rise
On the Serpent 966-TE the rear roll centre is adjustable through the use of
offset composite inserts, which position the wishbone pivot pins of the lower
wishbones.The rear camber rise can also be adjusted through the same method
but on the upper rear wishbone pivot pins. The use of composite inserts means
both adjustments can be easily made track side.

Rear Axle
Made from Spring Steel, the solid rear axle is very durable and ultra strong
providing a perfect base to mount the rear drive pulley. A steel pin secures
the pulley and an o-ring keeps it in place.

Steering Servo Mounting
The steering servo is mounted on the right side directly to the bottom of the
radio plate and hangs free from any other item. The steering system uses a centrally
mounted servo-saver, which features adjustable spring tension and comes with
four Ackerman options, through the use of inserts, to help fine-tune the 966-TE
steering characteristics. Adjustable steel track rods with left and right threads
are standard.

Receiver Mounting
The receiver on the Serpent 966 can be mounted in two different positions, depending
on whether you choose the laydown throttle servo mounting or the traditional
upright throttle servo mounting.
If you mount the throttle servo using the laydown configuration, the receiver
is mounted on the left side of the radio plate, between the fuel tank and the
exhaust system.
If you mount the throttle servo using the traditional upright configuration,
the receiver (and protective cover) can be mounted next to the throttle servo.
The benefit of these alternative mounting positions is that it offers choices
for electronics placement, as well as options for eliminating any recurring
interference issues that may occur.

Fuel Tank
Serpent have supplied the 125cc fuel tank with a silicone rubber seal for the
fuel tank lid that prevents leakage and thus provides more consistent engine
performance. Made from silicone rubber, the new seal has been shaped to create
a perfect seal around the opening of the tank and allowing the tank lid to close
fully.The tank is made from a newer stronger material. The tanks have more resistance
to shattering in the event of a heavy impact and changes to the lid pivot pin
position further ensure a perfectly sealed tank. The new material is also less
heat sensitive and will keeps it shape better also when hot. The tank offers
the option to mount small spacers inside to fine-tune the volume.

Rear Shock Tower
The rear shock tower of the Serpent 966 is made from 3mm carbon fibre, which
again makes this part ultra crash resistant. The rear shock tower sports 4 shock
mounting positions to help you fine-tune your cars handling track side.

Quick Release Wheel System
The Serpent 966-TE comes standard with both spring-loaded aluminium quick release
levers.

Quick-change
This reliable and time-saving system enables very quick tire changes during
long distance races, allowing you to get back on the track in as little time
as possible.

Adjustable Wheelbase
Due to the front wishbone configuration, it is possible to very easily adjust
the car’s wheelbase through the placement of 1 upper and lower caster clip on
each side of the car. In the rear you can place shims in front or at the rear
of the lower rear wishbones to obtain plus or minus 3mm.

Adjustment
The Serpent 966 is a top-level competition racer and is therefore fully adjustable.
The racer can change numerous settings easily and effectively, including the
suspension geometry. The down stops can be easily accessed and easily adjusted
with optimum effect. Caster, track-width, toe-in, camber, camber rise, and wheelbase
can also be adjusted with ease, as well as the front and rear roll-centre and
rear body mount mounting angle.

Bearings
Supplied with sealed high-quality lightweight bearings throughout, the drive
train is very efficient and runs very smoothly.
30 bearings in total including 3 one-ways.

Gearbox
The SL8 2-speed gearbox is race proven and is easy to adjust and assemble thanks
to its simple design. The gearbox features large ball bearings for extra durability
and smoother rotation. The 8mm shaft will offer increased stability.The new
2-speed gears are mounted to the carriers with three small screws and come in
a full range of gears available in combination with pinions for the Centax-II
clutch.

High Res pic – Exhaust spring
Exhaust Mounting Spring
Using a spring-type mounting wire to isolate vibrations, the spring is attached
to the car by means of an aluminium mounting post attached to the radio plate.

Centax-II Clutch
The Centax-II clutch system features large ball bearings (a 5x13mm and a 5x10mm)
as well as a large thrust bearing (5x10mm). This increases durability and provides
ultra-free movement of parts. Featuring an externally-adjustable clutch gap
spacing method, and an innovative pivoting flyweight system.

Engine Mono block
The strong engine mono block that takes advantage of the extra space where the
engine is mounted on the LCG (Low Center of Gravity) chassis plate. As well
as the benefits of the mono block system, to stop the engine flexing, the block
allows the motor to be mounted lower in the chassis by 2mm. Due to the engine
being lowered the car is now supplied with a smaller diameter flywheel.

Drive Belt System
The Serpent 966-TE uses three Kevlar-reinforced main drive belts, driven by
a series of composite pulleys mounted on aluminium pulley adapters. This allows
for a very smooth and efficient drive system that can withstand severe punishment.

Throttle Servo Mounting
The 966-TE offers two possibilities for the mounting of the throttle servo,
first of which is the the traditional stand-up throttle servo layout. To lower
the cars centre of gravity there is also an option to mount the throttle servo
in a lay down configuration. This moves the heavy motor and other parts of the
servo lower and to the inside allowing for better weight distribution and C
of G.The lay down throttle servo assembly has been designed to fit in the standard
servo mounting space, thus enabling the easy change over between configurations.
If you decide to use the traditional upright mounting, you can mount the receiver
next to the throttle servo. Otherwise the receiver is in its standard place
on the left side of the radio plate.

Chassis Stiffeners
Another feature is the two carbon-fibre side mounted chassis stiffeners. These
plates form a strong bridge between the front and rear section of the 960, and
are mounted directly to the radio plate bracket and to the rear bulkheads. They
increase the chassis stiffness, an essential condition to make effective use
of the sophisticated suspension adjustment options. The left chassis stiffener
doubles as a belt-tensioner holder to with a longer slot to enable changes.

Front Anti-roll Bar
The Serpent 966-TE comes standard with an adjustable front anti-roll bar. By
rotating the 2 blades, you can easily adjust the stiffness. Centering with an
improved adjuster eccentric.

Front Axle
The front axle is made from high-grade aluminium and contains the best quality
one-way bearings lubricated with one-way lube. This ensures a consistent drive
to the front Spring Steel drive cups.

Main rear brackets
Anodized, cnc machined, aluminum main rear axle supports with coated alu eccenters;
more rigid, better rear axle support for a very true running rear shaft, easy
belt-tensioning, easy access for maintenance. With the eccenters you can choose
3 positions for rear- belt tensioning. By removing the eccenter on one side
the rear shaft with pulley and belt can be accessed very easily. Main rear supports
are machined maximum to reduced weight, but retain rigidness at the same time.
Pins are pre-pressed into the bottom of the brackets which then seat into the
positioning holes in the chassis. Precise and secure.

Improved RCC Shock Absorbers
The RCC shock absorbers are super-smooth and very easy to build. Machined from
metal and unique in that the shock bodies only open on the bottom half, they
are really simple to assemble. They come with a fixed piston and no longer use
a diaphragm as with the previous shocks but a foam. The result is an ultra-smooth
and air-free shock absorber thanks to the self-bleeding system incorporated
into the design.The seal-package on the shocks is improved ( new x-ring / bushing)
and offers better support to the rod. Small change, BIG advantage.

Lower mounted brake-assembly for lower LCG. Spring-loaded brake-plates slides
on polished steel shafts. Ready-to-run brake plate/pads assembly with new friction
brake material. The ball-raced hard anodized brake-cam push the 2 larger pins
which are seated in the aluminium bracket, against the brakeplat, to create
very smooth and even pressure to the plate.

Brake-system
The brake system ensures strong and efficient stopping power. The brake pads
consist of two steel plates with the friction material pre-baked to the plates,
and the brake disk is made from twin ventilated discs with an air-cooling alu
centre.The new braking system sits lower in the car to help LCG. The system
is easily accessable for maintenance, due to its very open design.
The spring-loaded bar-pads slide on polished steel pins and are activated through
the ball-raced brake cam, a large pin moves horizontally to activate the brakes.
Due to the horizontal action of the pin, and not the twisting of the brake cam,
all distortion in this area is removed and the brake pads are evenly pressed
together. The brake cam is supported by ball-bearings for smooth, precise action.
This further adds to the precision and exceptional stopping power of the braking
system.

Chassis Plate
The backbone of the car is the chassis plate, which has been CNC-machined from
extremely stiff american 7075 T6 – 5mm aerospace-quality aluminium and sports
a wide front opening to adjust the front anti-roll bar. A cooling slot under
the engine helps aid temperature control while chamfered edges prevent the chassis
from catching on kerbs giving it better overall ground clearance on the track.
It houses the battery pack, which is mounted into the newly-designed carbon
fibre battery mounting plate and is held in place by four screws, screwed directly
into the chassis plate itself. This 966-TE plate has also been machined to accept
the optional front stiffener plate.

Front Bumper and Body Mount
The front body mount of the Serpent 966 is screwed down along with the bumper,
which allows for some flex in the body post mounts whilst maintaining the stiffness
of the overall assembly. The body mount is held further through two screws mounted
from the side.As with the rear roll centre, the front roll centre can also be
easily adjusted. The adjustment is done by removing the front upper suspension
brackets and inserting spacers below the brackets and then re-attaching them
to the car.

The 966 comes with anodised aluminium front upper suspension brackets that
are machined from a single piece of aluminium. These attractive pieces are extremely
strong and offer great protection in the event of a heavy impact. The other
great advantage of this part is that due to the use of inserts, with an offset
hole, you can now adjust the pivot position of the upper front wishbones.

Another nice design feature is that the same front suspension bracket can be
used on both the left and right sides of the car.

Thew new aero bumper can be used closed, or partially open, by cutting out
the aligned inner parts.

Steering Blocks
These Wide offset (WOS) steering blocks can be used in 2 different configurations
by swapping the side of the car they are mounted on. These changes, depending
on the side the steering blocks are used on, will either give you more turn
in on corner entry, or more on power steering at corner exit.
The included eccenters ensure that the axle is raised higher than centre line,
which enhances the effect caused by this new configuration and due to the use
of eccenters the bearings are now also smaller and lighter, reducing un sprung
weight.

Front Suspension
The front anti-roll bar levers, that are combined with the down stops allowing
for easier tweak. They placed inwards, inside the bearing-blocks, which makes
them more effective due to less flex. The front lower arms accommodate the front
anti-roll bar position.

Battery Mounting Plate
The carbon fibre battery mounting plate has been designed to be able to accommodate
many different battery pack configurations, including the traditional 5 cell
pack. The battery mounting plate is made of a 2mm black carbon fibre and is
mounted to the chassis plate by four countersunk screws.

Radio Plate Support Bracket
The radio plate support bracket, placed directly in front of the engine, also
acts as the mounting point for the roll over bar.

Aluminium middle bracket
The Serpent 966 comes supplied with an aluminium middle bracket as standard.
Replacing the standard composite version, the new part is much stiffer and so
reduces flex in this axle which prolongs the life of the belts and pulleys.

Adjusting nut for pivot balls
These adjusting nuts are made from Nylon and replace the previous aluminium
nut with plastic insert which will not only makes assembly easier, it also reduces
un-sprung weight. Reducing the parts used at this point also reduces side play
so it makes for a more precise handling car and because the material used is
self-lubricating the movement of the pivot ball will remain smooth throughout
use.

Pivot Balls
Made from Spring Steel, these polished 8.5mm pivot balls are virtually unbreakable
and ensure the smoothest suspension movement possible.

Driveshafts / wheelaxles
Serpent use only the highest-quality drive train in their cars. The 966 car
comes supplied with the finest Spring Steel drive shafts capable of withstanding
constant punishment; these shafts are ultra durable and very stiff allowing
you to put all your power to the tarmac.

Front CVD and rear regular dogbones
Made from Spring Steel, the front and rear wheel axles are very durable and
ultra strong. They are a precision fit for the main bearings when mounted with
the supplied shims to ensure a tight precise wheel fit. The front axle also
makes up part of the CVD shafts that are included in this kit and can therefore
be used with both the supplied quick release system or the optional wheel nuts.

Front Shock Tower
The front shock tower of the Serpent 966 is made from 3mm carbon fibre, which
makes this part ultra crash resistant. The front shock tower also features two
shock mounting positions to enable you to fine tune your car for any track conditions.

Adjustable Front Belt Tension
A great feature is the ability to adjust the tension of the front belt. The
simple-to-use bearing eccentric holders allow for quick and easy setting.

The 966-TE features a split type radioplate. The larger central parts connects
with a rod to the front stiffner. The central part front screws which connect
to the bulkheads can be loosened to create more flex; the rod will control the
flex.
testing showed that flex in the front has more effect than in the rear or central
part of the chassis.

The 966-TE included the latest developed Serpent gearbox with 8mm shaft and
new flange, bell and gears. A perfectly balanced gearbox with very low inertia,
and a perfect bearing seating.
Durable and ultra quick shifting.

The brake-disk and pulley-adaptor with 3 pins has been modified, and a new
alu hardcoated side pully in included to fit the 8mm shaft.

Rear end connectors
Rear end connectors in rubber and alu, to influence rear end flex.