Serpent Viper 977e User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
& REFERENCE GUIDE

Welcome to Serpent
The Serpent Viper 977e is based on the
successful 977 Viper gaspowered car,
combining ultimate performance into a
single package. The 265mm wide electric
powered racing car offers superb handling,
incredible accelleration and top-speed.
Breath taking !
The Serpent Viper 977e is designed to be
a world champion, while still being easy
to use, assemble, and set up. You are now
part of the worldwide network of Serpent
drivers, which gives you superior technical
support and access to many benefits that
only Serpent drivers can enjoy.
The Serpent Viper 977e offers state of
the art specifications and leads the way in
chassis design, using all the knowledge we
have from 1/8 scale racing into this design
too. Continuously pushing the performance
envelope, Serpent’s engineers have added
many new and innovative features that can
help take your Serpent Viper 977e into the
winner’s circle.
INSTRUCTIONS
Serpent’s long tradition of excellence
extends to their instruction manuals, and
this instruction manual is no exception. The
easy-to-follow layout is richly illustrated
with 3D-rendered full-color images to make
your building experience quick and easy.
Following the instructions will result in a
well-built, high-performance racecar that
will soon be able to unleash its full potential
at the racetrack.
This instruction manual has been divided
into sections that will logically lead you
through the assembly process of your
Serpent model. Follow the assembly steps
in the order presented to ensure that no
problems occur during assembly. Each step
indicates all the fasteners and small parts
used. Bag numbers identify the kit bag(s)
that contains the appropriate parts.
EXPLODED VIEWS AND PARTS LIST
The exploded views and parts lists for the
Serpent Viper 977e are included in the back
of this manual. The exploded views show
all the parts of a particular assembly step
along with the Serpent part number. The
parts lists indicate the part number and
name of each part for easy reference when
ordering.
The instruction manual included with your
Serpent Viper 977e kit is very complete,
though due to continuous product
development, more up-to-date information
may be provided at our Serpent.com
website.
All information about the Serpent Viper
977e is accessible from the Serpent 977-e
product page which can be found on
Serpent.com and can be accessed by simply
typing www.serpent.com/904002 into your
web browsers address bar.
From the Serpent Viper 977e product page
you will find the very latest information about
your Serpent Viper 977e: reports by team
drivers and other experts, tips and tricks,
setups, image gallery and downloadable
files including the latest version of the
instruction manual will be made available as
downloadable PDF-files.
Enjoy racing!
Team Serpent
SAFETY
Read and take note of the ‘Read this First
section’ before proceeding to assemble the
car-kit. This car-kit is intended for persons
aged 16 or older.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Serpent has made a strong effort to make
this manual as complete and clear as
possible.
Additional info may be published in our
website: www.serpent.com or you may
ask your dealer or the Serpent distributor
for advice, or email Serpent direct: info@
serpent.com
The Serpent Facebook, Twitter and Youtube
pages give additional means of support and
communications.
INSTRUCTIONS, HOW TO USE
The kit includes bags, with bagnumbers,
which refer to the same step in the manual.
Open only the indicated bag(s) per step and
finish that part of the assembly.
Remaining parts will be needed lateron in
the assembly process.
SETUP
In many assembly steps you mount specific
parts that suit the default set-up. We advice
to keep the seperate default set-up sheet
alongside the manual, during all assembly.
Other finetuning of the set-up, must be done
at the track.
CONTENTS
TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY 4
REAR ASSEMBLY 8
STEERING & FRONT ASSEMBLY 11
SHOCKS ASSEMBLY 17
FINAL ASSEMBLY 18
REFERENCE GUIDE 22
PARTS LISTS 29

Read this rst!
- This is a highly technical hobby product, intended to be used
in a safe racing environment. This car is capable of speeds
in excess of 80 km/h or 50mph. Please follow these guidelines
when building and operating this model.
- Parental guidance is required when the builder/user of this car
is under 16.
- Follow the building instructions. If in doubt, contact your dealer
or importer.
- Be sure to use the proper tools when assembling the car.
Always exercise caution when using electric tools, knives
and other sharp objects.
- Be careful when using liquids like lubrication oil, fuel or glue.
Do not swallow.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instruction in case you experience
irritation after using the product.
- Be careful when operating the car. Stay away from any rotating
parts such as wheels, gears and transmission. Stay
away from motor, engine and exhaust pipe system or speedo
during and immediately after use, as these parts may be very
hot. We advise to use protective hand cloves.
- Only operate this car in a safe environment, like a
special racing track or a closed parking lot. Avoid using
this car on public roads, crowded places or near infants.
- Before operating this car, always check the mechanical
status of the car. Also check that the transmitter and
receiver frequencies correspond and are not used by
any other racer at the same time.
Check that the batteries of the transmitter and receiver
are fully charged.
- After use, always check all the mechanics of the car.
We advise to clean the car immediately after use, and
inspect the parts for wear or fractures. Replace when
necessary. Do not use water, methanol, thinner or other
solvents to clean the car.
- Empty the fuel tank (depending on model) if needed and
disconnect the receiver battery.
- Store the car in a dry and heated place to avoid corro-
sion
of metal parts.
- Avoid using this car in wet conditions as the water will
cause corrosion on the metal parts and bearings and
these parts will cease to function properly.
If driven in the wet, ensure that all the electric equipment
is waterproofed and after use, that all moving parts are
dried immediately.
Length after assembly
Each step contains a variety of numbers, lines, and symbols. The numbers represent the
order in which the parts should be assembled. The lines and symbols are described below.
Assembly path of one item into another
Group of items (within lines) should be assembled
first
Direction the item should be moved
Glue one item to another
Press/Insert one item into another
Connect one item to another
Gap between two items
Step number; the order in which you should
assemble the indicated parts
USING THE MANUAL
1
Apply silicone grease (Orange),
Apply graphite grease (Grey),
Apply threadlock (Blue),
Apply silicone oil,

Page
4
STEP
1
STEP
2
STEP
3
STEP
4
TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY
2.5x22
R12
R12
1
2
33
M4X10
Bag
1
12x18x4
12x18x4
4.1
M3x6
M3x20
Note:
Assemble M3x20 screws to aling the camber
bracket.
Remove them again after M3x6 are mounted,
so you can proceed with step 4.2.

Page
5
STEP
5
STEP
6
STEP
7
4.2
M3x6
M3x20
M4x10
M3x14
5x8x2.5 Flanged
5x8x2.5
M3x10
M4x10
M4x8
Note orientation of the excenters
M2.5x8
7.1
1
2
3
Bag
2

Page
6
STEP
8
STEP
9
M3x12
M3x12
12x18x4 12x18x4
5x10x3
5x10x3
M3X10
M3X10
M3X10
M3X8
M4X8
M4X10
M4X10
M4X6
7.2
Note position of the M4x8 setscrew.
1
1
2
1
2
3
3
Bag
3

Page
7
STEP
10
STEP
11
M4X10
6x12x4
6x12x4
M3X6
M3X6
M3X6
M2.5x8
M4X10
1
2
3
4
1
1
4
2
3
3
2
How to disassemble the
midshaft:
1) Remove the screw of inner
shaft.
2) Remove the M3x6 screw and
the carbon bracket.
3) Remove the inner midshaft
4) Take out the midshaft

Page
8
Detail view of the 977e Viper Two Belts Transmission
STEP
12
STEP
13
13.1
13.2
M3X14
M3X8
M3X15
M3X8
M3X6
M4X10
M4X10
2mm
1mm
1
2
Note position of the insterts
REAR ASSEMBLY
Bag
4

15.1
Page
9
STEP
14
STEP
15
14.1
14.3
12x18x4
12x15x0.25
12x18x4
12x18x1
M3X4
3x22
1
2
3
4
5
14.2
4.4mm
3mm
15.2
7 mm
M3x8
M3x20

Page
10
STEP
16
16.1
16.2
7 mm
STEP
17
17.1
17.2
M3x3
5x8x2.5
M3x3
M3x3
M3x3

Page
11
STEP
18
STEP
19
STEP
20
STEERING & FRONT ASSEMBLY
18.1 18.2
M3x8
M3x6
M3x6
M3x6
M3x6
M3x6
Nylock nut M3
Nylock nut M3
M3x16 Flanged
M3x16 Flanged
Use the following servo
horns with this brand of
servos:
23 - Sanwa / KO/ JR
24 - Hitec
25 - Futaba / Hitec/ Savox
M3x10
M3x10
NOT
INCLUDED
1 mm
Bag
5

Page
12
STEP
21
6x10x3
6x10x3
M4x10
STEP
22
STEP
22
M3x10
M4x8
M3x6
M3x6 M3x8
M3x8
M3x8
M3x6
22.1
21.2
20 mm
21.1

Page
13
22.2
M4x12
2mm
1mm
M4x12
M5x10
STEP
23
STEP
24
M4x14
4x9x1 4x9x1
M4x14
M4x4
2mm
1mm
4mm
1
2
2
28mm
6mm
Bag
6

Page
14
STEP
25
Neutral position
M3x12
Nylock nut M3
3.2x7x0.5
Leading position when
mounted at LEFT hand side
Leading position when
mounted at RIGHT hand side
Trailing position when
mounted at LEFT hand side
Trailing position when
mounted at RIGHT hand side
OPTIONAL
OPTIONAL
25.1
25.2
2.5x12
12x15x0.25
4 pcs
12x15x0.25
12x18x0.3
12x18
12x18
M3x4
3x20
1
1
2
3
4

Page
15
LEFT
RIGHT
M3x8
M3x8
M3x6
M3x6
25.3
25.4
1
1
2
2
STEP
26
4.9mm
5mm

Page
16
27.2
28.1
STEP
28
5x8x2.5
M3x3
M3x3
M3x3
28.2
STEP
27 27.1
45.5 mm

Page
17
REAR=
LONG BALLJOINT
11.0mm
10.5mm
Nut M2.5
2.5x6x0.5
FRONT =
SHORT BALLJOINT
FILLING
Fill the shock
body with the
supplied shock
absorber oil.
BLEEDING
Let the oil settle and
allow the air to escape.
Slowly move the piston
up and down to release
any trapped air bubbles.
Repeat as necessary until
no bubbles appear.
Assemble the spring and springcup
to complete the shock
Check the default set-up sheet
for spring details.
Use some
oil during
assembly
Use some
oil during
assembly
Use some
oil during
assembly
Insert the o-ring
inside the spring-
nut
1
2
Assemble the
spring-nut
Use some
Locktite
to x the nut
Check the default
set-up sheet for
the correct piston
to use
REAR SHOCKSFRONT SHOCKS
SHOCKS ASSEMBLY
STEP
29
Shocks
Bag

Page
18
STEP
31
STEP
32
M3x12
M3x12
M3x12
M3x12
M3x12
M3x12
M3x6
M3x6
1
1
4
3
5
2
STEP
30
M4x10
Nylock
nuts M4
M4x10
M4x14
M4x12
1
2
FINAL ASSEMBLY
Bag
7

Page
19
STEP
33
M3x10
M3x6 Flanged
M3x6 Flanged
STEP
34
STEP
35
M3x6
M3x4
M3x4
M3x8
M3x16
1
3
4
2
Bag
8

Page
20
STEP
36
STEP
37
M4x10
M4x4
M3x16
M4x8
M3x14
M2.5x8
M3x14
NOT
INCLUDED
NOT
INCLUDED
Note:
To assemble the motor the slide
must be completely backwards. The
rear M3x16 screw must be disas-
sembled.
Note: Order for assembling the
electric motor correctly.
1) Assemble the motor with 2x
M4x10 CH screws.
2) Assemble the pinion with M4x4
grubscrew.
3) Assemble the M3x16 screw.
1
3
2