Serpent 966
08-09-2010, 05:26 AM
#1141
hi fellows, just want to comments on the recent Serpent manufacturing quality, not the material quality but the workmanship of parts.
I recently (finally) upgraded my 960 to a 966, new kit new built. I have to say, compare to the 960, which was the 1st gen kit, this 966 is awful to build. Parts don't fit without some "fine tuning", machined parts with lots of chips left in crevices, plastic parts need to de-bur of the extra material from the mode. This is so different in quality control compare to my 960 and even the 960/08 OS2 upgrade i did to my 960, which was still excellent for fit and finish. I major "mod" i have to do on the 966 was the rear axle pin that holds the quick release lever for the wheel, the pin will not go through without elongate the hole.
I also recently build a Mugen MBX-6 buggy, this is my first Mugen build and i have to say I have never build a kit that trouble free.
I know myself very well that as much as i am complaining now, i know i will buy another Serpent. what can you do???
anyway, i just wanted to see what you guys think on the quality of finish on Serpent cars/parts of late.
sorry for the long post
I recently (finally) upgraded my 960 to a 966, new kit new built. I have to say, compare to the 960, which was the 1st gen kit, this 966 is awful to build. Parts don't fit without some "fine tuning", machined parts with lots of chips left in crevices, plastic parts need to de-bur of the extra material from the mode. This is so different in quality control compare to my 960 and even the 960/08 OS2 upgrade i did to my 960, which was still excellent for fit and finish. I major "mod" i have to do on the 966 was the rear axle pin that holds the quick release lever for the wheel, the pin will not go through without elongate the hole.
I also recently build a Mugen MBX-6 buggy, this is my first Mugen build and i have to say I have never build a kit that trouble free.
I know myself very well that as much as i am complaining now, i know i will buy another Serpent. what can you do???
anyway, i just wanted to see what you guys think on the quality of finish on Serpent cars/parts of late.
sorry for the long post
08-09-2010, 05:32 AM
#1142
I have to agree entirely.
I've been a Mugen guy since I started nitro racing, but with the recent Off Road addiction of Mugen and the lack of support for On Road classes, I decided to make a switch to Serpent.
My son is running the 966 and I went for the 733.
I was really shocked about the amount of work it takes to build a functioning car.
Once it's built, the 966 is a great performing car and it also holds up well.
The 733 on the other hand is so fragile and it's so hard to keep a working setup on it, that I decided to give up on it after not even a full season.
I've been a Mugen guy since I started nitro racing, but with the recent Off Road addiction of Mugen and the lack of support for On Road classes, I decided to make a switch to Serpent.
My son is running the 966 and I went for the 733.
I was really shocked about the amount of work it takes to build a functioning car.
Once it's built, the 966 is a great performing car and it also holds up well.
The 733 on the other hand is so fragile and it's so hard to keep a working setup on it, that I decided to give up on it after not even a full season.
08-09-2010, 05:34 AM
#1143
08-09-2010, 05:38 AM
#1144
hi fellows, just want to comments on the recent Serpent manufacturing quality, not the material quality but the workmanship of parts.
I recently (finally) upgraded my 960 to a 966, new kit new built. I have to say, compare to the 960, which was the 1st gen kit, this 966 is awful to build. Parts don't fit without some "fine tuning", machined parts with lots of chips left in crevices, plastic parts need to de-bur of the extra material from the mode. This is so different in quality control compare to my 960 and even the 960/08 OS2 upgrade i did to my 960, which was still excellent for fit and finish. I major "mod" i have to do on the 966 was the rear axle pin that holds the quick release lever for the wheel, the pin will not go through without elongate the hole.
I also recently build a Mugen MBX-6 buggy, this is my first Mugen build and i have to say I have never build a kit that trouble free.
I know myself very well that as much as i am complaining now, i know i will buy another Serpent. what can you do???
anyway, i just wanted to see what you guys think on the quality of finish on Serpent cars/parts of late.
sorry for the long post
I recently (finally) upgraded my 960 to a 966, new kit new built. I have to say, compare to the 960, which was the 1st gen kit, this 966 is awful to build. Parts don't fit without some "fine tuning", machined parts with lots of chips left in crevices, plastic parts need to de-bur of the extra material from the mode. This is so different in quality control compare to my 960 and even the 960/08 OS2 upgrade i did to my 960, which was still excellent for fit and finish. I major "mod" i have to do on the 966 was the rear axle pin that holds the quick release lever for the wheel, the pin will not go through without elongate the hole.
I also recently build a Mugen MBX-6 buggy, this is my first Mugen build and i have to say I have never build a kit that trouble free.
I know myself very well that as much as i am complaining now, i know i will buy another Serpent. what can you do???
anyway, i just wanted to see what you guys think on the quality of finish on Serpent cars/parts of late.
sorry for the long post
08-09-2010, 05:40 AM
#1145
I have 4 front bumpers laying around, all ordered with the intent to get one of the new ones.
The first 4 were the old plastic and the last one was the new plastic.
Also, with their recent move into a new building within China, parts supply was anything but good....
08-09-2010, 10:52 AM
#1146
Tech Master
iTrader: (3)
personally i have never put together a kit yet without massaging parts to make them fit better or smoother especially on the drive drain. Ive just taken it, if i want it to work at my standards than I'll need to make the necessary mods
Last edited by motojon; 08-09-2010 at 11:08 AM.
08-09-2010, 11:17 AM
#1147
After building Mugens and Kyoshos, the Serpent does take a little longer to build and get everything just right. The results do pay off in the end. I love the way the 966 handles and tunes compaired with my old MRX-4X.
The only part I have broke more than once on the 966 are the front upper "wishbones" as Serpent calls them. It's taken a good smack to break them though.
Not really had much problems with the bearings in the kit yet....
The only part I have broke more than once on the 966 are the front upper "wishbones" as Serpent calls them. It's taken a good smack to break them though.
Not really had much problems with the bearings in the kit yet....
08-09-2010, 11:43 AM
#1148
08-09-2010, 11:49 AM
#1149
Yep, but the bummer is, that when they do updates they let them go under the same part number.
I have 4 front bumpers laying around, all ordered with the intent to get one of the new ones.
The first 4 were the old plastic and the last one was the new plastic.
Also, with their recent move into a new building within China, parts supply was anything but good....
I have 4 front bumpers laying around, all ordered with the intent to get one of the new ones.
The first 4 were the old plastic and the last one was the new plastic.
Also, with their recent move into a new building within China, parts supply was anything but good....
08-09-2010, 12:59 PM
#1150
Tech Adept
08-09-2010, 05:04 PM
#1151
08-09-2010, 08:23 PM
#1152
it's not the matter of on or offroad, i've built a few 10th scale and most recent being the TOP Photon, and the workmanship of the plastic parts is much better than the bigger scale 966. so the size should be an excuse.
08-09-2010, 08:31 PM
#1153
i do agree which i like my car to be built perfect or as close to the first time, but the 966 i've just built is not the necessary mod to make it smooth. it's without "modding", parts cant even be fitted. example that pops to mind, the spurs that i have in the kit, the hole where you place the bearings, the long shaft cannot even make through the hole due to the flashings.
08-09-2010, 09:18 PM
#1154
Tech Master
iTrader: (3)
i do agree which i like my car to be built perfect or as close to the first time, but the 966 i've just built is not the necessary mod to make it smooth. it's without "modding", parts cant even be fitted. example that pops to mind, the spurs that i have in the kit, the hole where you place the bearings, the long shaft cannot even make through the hole due to the flashings.
08-09-2010, 09:46 PM
#1155
I really dont see the problems about parts fitting that people are talking about. Ive built a 960 08, a 966 conversion, a 966 kit, a 720 08 and a 733 and I didnt have any problems with parts fitting well. Ive also built a RRR and a Evolva M3 and those cars had too much slop. With the Serpent kits the parts fit well with very little to no slop, and the steel parts have very long wear. Im still using the original 720 CVDs in the back of my 733, and just now the pins are showing some wear.
Ive been hit in the back of my 966 on the straight by an MRX4(motor was rich) full throtle, both car flew over the barrier. Brougth my 966 back to the pits added some body clips, leaned the motor
and finished the main, the MRX4 had to be pulled off. So not only are the cars good on wear, they are also strong.
Ive been hit in the back of my 966 on the straight by an MRX4(motor was rich) full throtle, both car flew over the barrier. Brougth my 966 back to the pits added some body clips, leaned the motor
and finished the main, the MRX4 had to be pulled off. So not only are the cars good on wear, they are also strong.