Brand:

Serpent

Product Type:

Gas Cars > 1/8

The Serpent 950 is the latest entry of Serpent into the highly competitive 1/8 scale arena. The '950' combines the latest in technology and set-up with ease of use and maintenance. The '950' will be the car the Team will be racing in 2003.

Related products

• - Serpent 950-R 1/8 4WD (#902004)

Performance through Evolution

Evolution rather than Revolution sums up the Serpent 950, the latest 1/8th scale chassis from the world leaders in Gas R/C – Serpent. Featuring a myriad of changes from the largest performance enhancements to the smallest detail changes, the Serpent 950 represents 25 years of combined technical and race winning experience.

The Serpent 950 in brief

The front part of the Serpent 950 has been designed to improve the balance and roll-center of the car. Special attention is given to make working on the car for set-up or maintenance, as easy and fast as possible. The steering servo is re-positioned to the right side, allowing for a narrow fuel tank and a centrally, chassis-mounted battery pack. The adjustable upper front suspension brackets are mounted to the radio plate. Conventional front shock mounting on a shock-tower is standard; a push rod activated system is optional.
The mid-section features carbon fiber side chassis stiffeners.  An integrated belt tensioner is located on the left side. The Serpent 950 can be run with and without the side stiffeners.
The rear-end features new lower arms with larger diameter hinge-pins, and upper arms with adjustable length. The rear body-mount has a central centering device similar to what has been used on the Impact cars.
The Serpent 950 comes with the new Centax-II™ clutch system and the new 2-speed gearbox.

Adjustable front roll-center -

The 2.5mm CNC machined woven carbon fiber radio plate uniquely supports the composite front upper wishbone pivot brackets to allow for the adjustment of the front suspension’s roll center. This is achieved by adding or removing carbon spacers to raise or lower the roll center. The car comes standard with 3mm thick carbon fiber spacers, with optional 1.5mm versions (#902211), which are also made in carbon fiber.
The upper wishbone pivot brackets will be available as an option in aluminum (#902207).

Steering servo -

The steering servo is mounted on the right side directly to the bottom of the radio plate and hangs free of any other item. The steering system uses a single servo-saver, which features adjustable servo saver spring tension, a useful feature that allows you to make your car suit any track surface or layout. The servo-saver comes with two Ackermann options to fine-tune the 950 steering characteristics. Adjustable steel track rods with left and right thread are standard. The pivot ball on the servo-saver arm can be accessed through a hole in the chassis to disconnect and re-connect the steering rod.

Aluminum front bracket -

The Serpent 950 features a unique aluminum front bracket. Not only does this bracket add stiffness to the entire chassis and radio plate, it also acts as a strong basis for the center post of the servo saver. The bracket is the mounting point for the front carbon fiber shock tower for conventional front-shock mounting. With the optional aluminum push rod front bracket (#902163) the Serpent 950 can be equipped with push rod activated inboard suspension system, pioneered by Serpent.

Radio plate support bracket -

The radio plate support bracket, placed directly in front of the engine, also acts as the mounting point for the new rollover bar. The rollover bar is shaped in such a way that it optimizes the cars weight distribution when in your hand. An optional aluminum radio plate support bracket (#902256) is available and allows for increased chassis stiffness and a more durable rollover bar mounting.

Fuel tank -

A completely new 125cc fuel tank has been designed to accommodate the new radio plate layout. Top mounted using rubber covered aluminum mountings to isolate from vibrations and held in place by small body clips, this new design also features three buffers to prevent fuel foaming and to also ensure every last drop of fuel has been picked up. This new tank is fitted with another of Serpents innovations, the ‘AFL’ fuel tank lid. It contains an air chamber to prevent the backpressure tubing being blocked by fuel being forced back down it at high speed cornering. Also new is the lightweight pick up filter, now made from a special polypropylene.  It is more efficient and further ensures the last drop of fuel is used.

Battery pack -

The battery pack for the Serpent 950 is mounted into an easy to remove composite battery holder and placed in the chassis plate directly under the fuel tank. This gives the 950 the lowest possible center of gravity and lowest polar moment due to the weight being in the direct center of the car. The battery holder is designed to hold 5 Triple-A 1.2v cells, (not included). A pre-made battery pack is available as an option.

Chassis plate -

The backbone of the car is the chassis plate.  It is the strongest and stiffest single piece chassis available. Constructed from 5mm aerospace quality aluminum, the Serpent 950s chassis plate should withstand all but the most severe crashes. The chassis plate comes with three cooling holes just under the engine to aid temperature control, and chamfered edges to prevent it catching on curbs and give better overall ground clearance. It houses the battery pack, which is mounted into the plate and held in place by composite mounting points. All screw holes are countersunk to ensure no obstructions when the chassis is running low to the ground.

Chassis Stiffeners -

Another unique feature, the 2 carbon fiber side mounted chassis stiffeners. These plates form a strong bridge between the front and rear section of the 950, and are mounted directly to the radio plate bracket and to the rear-bearing blocks. They increase the chassis’ stiffness, an essential condition to make effective use of the sophisticated suspension adjustment options. The left chassis stiffener also houses the adjustable ball-raced belt tensioner, a simple and very effective system.

The Serpent 950 can be raced with or without the side stiffeners due to the ridged 5mm aerospace quality chassis.

Gearbox -

The new 2-speed gearbox is an evolution of the first 2-speed system Serpent invented many years ago. Now in a lighter and much more efficient form, this gearbox is easy to adjust and assemble thanks to its simple design. The gearbox features larger ball bearings (a 6x10mm and a 6x13mm) for extra durability and smoother rotation. The gears are mounted to the carriers with three small screws and come in different colors for easy recognition in your toolbox. A full range of gears is available in combination with pinions for the Centax-II™ clutch.

Centax-II™

Only the second design of the clutch system created by Serpent in the early nineties, the Centax-II™ features larger ball bearings (a 5x13mm and a 5x10mm) as well as a larger thrust bearing (5x10mm). This increases durability and provides ultra free movement of parts. Featuring an externally adjustable clutch spacing method, the new Centax™ system also sports a new stiffer spring (1.8mm) and a completely new pivoting flyweight system. Standard is the new XP clutch shoe which, when used in combination with all the other new parts, provides extra punch and better clutch consistency.

Rear suspension -

The Serpent 950 rear suspension arms have been redesigned. The new lower arms have two anti-roll bar mounting positions and sport a new updated design. The upper arms have adjustable length to be able to vary the rear track-width to suit varying track conditions.

The composite rear bearing blocks from the Serpent 950 feature larger rear lay shaft bearings (increased from 6x13mm to 6x15mm) for increased durability and reduced friction in the rotation of this crucial part. They also sport new 3.5mm lower rear pivot pins to reduce the chances of the pin bending on heavy impact. The side-plate mounting points are integrated in the rear blocks.

Rear body mount -

The Serpent 950 features a vertical sliding body mount centering system taken from its stable mate, the Serpent Impact. A very efficient system, the centering pin is mounted to a woven carbon fiber shock tower that features several shock mounting holes to help you fine tune your Serpent 950 even further.

Shock absorbers -

Serpent’s famous 4-step externally adjustable shock absorbers come with keyed shock pistons, which ensures that when selecting another setting you get a very positive click. The Serpent 950 comes supplied with yellow springs and Serpents ultra consistent 30W quality shock oil.

Steering Blocks -

The Serpent 950 comes as standard with the WOS (wide-off-set) composite steering blocks.

Exhaust mount -

Using a spring type mounting wire to isolate vibrations, the spring is attached to the car by means of an aluminum mounting post attached to the radio plate.

Brakes -

The brake system consists of 2 steel plates merged with braking material ensuring efficient stopping power to the twin discs with air-cooling center. The braking action utilizes a cam system (the brake cam is hard anodized), which further ensures the smoothest braking action.

Bumper -

The front bumper is constructed from a high impact resistant composite and does an excellent job of protecting the Serpent 950 in a crash. The bumper is mounted separately from the composite body mount to ensure better resistance to breakage in an accident.

Suspension –

As with all cars in the Serpent range the Serpent 950 features independent double wishbone suspension.

Bearings -

Supplied with purple sealed high quality lightweight bearings throughout, the drive train is very efficient and runs very smoothly.

Front axle –

The front axle is made from high-grade aluminum and contains the best quality one-way bearings lubricated with Serpent one-way lube. This ensures a consistent drive to the front HUDY™ manufactured spring steel drive cups.

Wheel Axles –

Made from HUDY™ spring steel, the front and rear wheel axles are very durable and ultra strong. These are a precision fit for the main bearings and when mounted are combined with special conical washers to ensure a tight precise wheel fit.

Rear Axle –

Made from HUDY™ spring steel the solid rear axle is very durable and ultra strong providing a perfect base to mount the rear drive pulley.

Pivot balls –

Made from HUDY™ spring steel these polished 8.5mm pivot balls are virtually unbreakable and ensure the smoothest suspension movement possible.

Drive shafts –

Serpent use only the highest quality drive train in their cars and this car is no exception. It comes supplied with the finest HUDY™ 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.

Belt system –

Serpent use Kevlar reinforced drive belts. The Serpent 950 uses three main belts, driven by a series of composite pulleys mounted on aluminum pulley adapters. This makes for a very smooth and efficient drive system and one that never slips and can withstand all but the hardest of punishment.

Anti-Roll bars -

The Serpent 950 comes supplied with an adjustable front anti-roll bar and top mounted 3.0mm rear anti-roll bar. An optional adjustable rear anti-roll bar (#909335) is also available for extra set-up possibilities.

Quick Release system –

The Serpent 950 comes standard with spring loaded aluminum quick release levers. 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.

Tires –

The Serpent 950 comes complete with a full set of the finest quality 35° shore Ellegi Technics™ rubber trued and glued on Serpents ultra rigid BBS style yellow wheels.

Powerstart™ -

To enable you to start your Serpent 950 with the greatest of ease Serpent provide the necessary alignment brackets for your Powerstart™ starter box.

Adjustment –

The Serpent 950 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 up and down stops can be easily accessed and easily adjusted with optimum effect. Castor, toe-in and camber can also be adjusted with ease, as well as the front and rear roll-centers.

Manuals –

To allow you to build your car with the greatest of ease, Serpent supplies a full color instruction manual and set-up guide. Also supplied with the car is a separate brochure containing all the exploded views and latest options as well as a Serpent 950 decal sheet.

Legal

Centax and Powerstart are registered trademarks of Serpent MRC
Hudy is a registered trademark of Hudy
Ellegi Technics is a registered trademark of Gandini Racing Production