Serpent Spyder MID car Now in UK

[johnboy]

The serpent mid car is now in the UK.

Limited number from first batch

Price £245.00

Call Jeff (my dad) at Elite RC racing if interested 01422 373010

[johnboy]

I will also do a build review on the car. This will be my first attempt at a review so hope will be ok.

[johnboy]

So having got my kit today started on it this evening.

The instruction manual is very easy to follow.

I have decided that I want to fit the option front brass bulk head so couldn't start from step one.

Instead I built the shocks this evening.

The shocks are some of the best I've built very easy to assembly and so easy to bleed. There is nothing tricky or difficult to do to build these shocks. I just used green slime shock lube to protect the orings.

One thing will say in the oring bag are 2 very small clear orings for the bleeder screws watch out as they are very small. I nearly binned them in the bag as didn't see at first.

The quality of the parts are as you would expect from serpent and a nice touch is they supply you with Alloy bleeder shock caps that are optional on other makes.

In the shock parts bags you get 4 different pistons for each shock. A blank piston to drill your own holes then 3 x 2 hole options starting 1.5mm / 1.6mm and 1.7mm.

Kit setting is.

Front 1.5mm piston with 2mm limiters on shafts and 300cst oil pink spring 3.15lbs.

Rear 1.6mm piston again 2mm limiters 300cst and pink spring 2.2lbs.

I have ordered the option 3 hole conical pistons so will try them at some point.

Hopefully I will have the brass bulkhead tomorrow so can continue the build.

[madap1]

Cant wait to see yours go round john, whens its 1st outing going to be

[johnboy]

Quick update will add more this evening but rolling chassis done now just installing electrics.

The build had been brilliant and looking forward to
First outing with the car.

[johnboy]

Right the car is done all needed is bodyshell to paint.

So back to build.

Decided to do the rear before the front.

Few points.
The bearings in rear hubs are quite large and look pretty durable.

The CVDS are spring steel and the pin is captured by the bearing in the hub.

The kit setting for the toe in is 3 degrees but as in this country we tend to run 4 degrees I set 3 degrees on the inner hinge pins and 1 degree on the hub. Anti squat is set at 2 degrees. In the kit it comes with all the inserts to try every setting. This is a good feature as eliminates need to buy different braces.

The plastic parts are very good quality and strong.

Car comes with clamp type wheel hex for the rear.

When I had built the rear there was no binding or slop in the hinge pins on the wishbones.

[johnboy]

Next the diff and gear box

The diff is very simple to assemble and uses large 1/8th inch diff balls.
The diff halves again are spring steel so should be long life.
Once built the diff has a nice smooth action very pleased with the quality.

The gearbox is a small compact 4 gear.
The height of the diff can be changed again all the inserts are supplied to do this. Kit setting is med height.
The slipper clutch is a 3 shoe clutch with the adjustment screw being the other side of gearbox to make tuning easier.

Once finished the gearbox drops straight into the chassis and the rear end is complete.

[johnboy]

The front end

The steering mounts onto the front bulkhead. Kit is plastic 25 degree once I get the brass bulkhead will fit that and it uses inserts to change castor angle.
The servo then mounts to chassis depending on your servo depends on the number of shims to use for correct spacing. In the kit comes with 4 different thickness shims and the manual tells you which to use for your make.

Once the top plate is fitted its on to the front wishbones and steering knuckles. The steering knuckles come with 3 different type arms to change Ackermann angle. Kit setting is number 2.
The front hubs again have inserts to adjust castor angles. As the bulkhead is 25 degree I used the 5 degree insert to give 30 degrees castor. The kit setting suggests just using 0 degree to make 25 degrees.

Again once the front wishbones are mounted on the car there is no binding to provide a smooth suspension.

When the front end is finished its on mounting the shocks and onto the electric install.

Plenty of room is provide to get the electrics in and a neat job can be made.

The wing has 2 different sets of inserts to have different angle either 2 or 4 degree and both supplied in the kit.

[johnboy]

Just some more pics of build and install.

My first run will be next Saturday. Will report how it goes.

[phil c]

Good reading john , looking foward to seeing it go

[johnboy]

All finished ready to race next Saturday :thumbsup:

[Jonny5]

Very curious to see what you guys in Europe think of the car. My brother had his first runs with his this past weekend and just loves it. He instantly found his pace from his RM Serpent car, and by the end of the weekend was a few tenths better on lap times and many seconds better on overall time. Track was a medium-high bite clay.

[johnboy]

Just had first meeting with the car at Batley indoor club.
A mixed surface of carpet and polished wood flooring.

The car is very safe to drive and over the day played around with springs oils and shims under the ball studs.

Every change made was noticeable. The end of the day the car was faster than when started but for the final I opted to try mini pin tyres (was using spikes all through qualifying) this for me was the wrong call as I preferred the car on spikes.

Overall quite happy with the spyder and feel will be a good car. Next week will be worksop indoor so will see how the car goes on a faster track with more grip.

[TomHow]

Nice report John :)

I did a small build report on my website also here (http://www.tomhow.com/car-builds-3/serpent-spyder-srx-2-mid-motor-build/)

I am in Istanbul and we have indoor carpet track which I run the RM car on so far and I am 5th in the series with the leader winning both rounds also with an RM Spyder. So now will be good to see more example setups with carpet and astro tracks from UK.

Here are my twins :thumbsup:

[johnboy]

Nice report John :)

I did a small build report on my website also here (http://www.tomhow.com/car-builds-3/serpent-spyder-srx-2-mid-motor-build/)

I am in Istanbul and we have indoor carpet track which I run the RM car on so far and I am 5th in the series with the leader winning both rounds also with an RM Spyder. So now will be good to see more example setups with carpet and astro tracks from UK.

Here are my twins :thumbsup:

Yes I've had a look at the report. A quick question what made you fit the alloy steering set?

[clunk]

Ran mine today on a dry astro track for the first outing and really pleased with it, easy to drive, well balanced and felt right at home with it.

Looking forward to running it at a meeting to see how it compares with the yoko I have run for the last year :)

Initial impression is that it feels great straight out the box after a few set up changes for how I drive :)

[TomHow]

Yes I've had a look at the report. A quick question what made you fit the alloy steering set?

I fitted the alloy steering for a bit of weight but also as in the past I have had steering parts break too easily on other cars. The steering feels a lot better also.