TES VA on old Black Dragun Pi E-2

[MrLuckyPants]

I picked up a TES VA, gauge, reg, and drop/ASA to put on an old Pi E-2 Black Dragun body (about 99% Spyder compatible, including the VA/valve/spring/etc.) that I use for a backup. I had done some preliminary research which told me that putting a Spyder VA on a TES was fine...

Unfortunately, I discovered that the reverse was not true -- putting a TES VA on an old Black Dragun (or Spyder) is not so simple. Since the high-flowing TES VA has a *huge* hole, the standard Spyder-sized valve spring will not work.

So, what are my options? If I get a stock TES spring, will it work in my old BD? Are there spring kits available for this type of VA if I want/need to make adjustments? Or am I better off to just sell the VA and drill/tap the stock VA to increase the flow and install a gauge. I know I can get an Assault Block, but I don't want to spend that much cash on this marker.

Now, I don't want to hear "yeah, I guess you can do that" or "I've never seen one but I assume you can". What I would like is advice from someone who *knows* the facts and can give me intelligent advice.

Thanks!

[wulf1010]

the stock tes spring will work, and there are a number of spring kits that work. Your other option would be to expand the end of your stock spring so that it dosent go thru the hold in the va.

[MrLuckyPants]

Thanks -- I had thought of stretching out the end loop of the spring to make it larger, but I wasn't sure if that would be stable/strong enough for the spring to stay in place when in use.

[wulf1010]

i used that trick a couple of times on a friends marker. It works fine and should hold pretty well, but again a full spring kit would be preferable. Just make sure they have the over size springs in it

[MrLuckyPants]

Right. I've seen pictures of the springs now, so I know what they look like.

Who makes spring kits with TES-style valve springs? I didn't see any in a few minutes of searching.

But I did see a product from Shocktech called a "TES Tube". It slides into the VA, inside the part with the o-rings that in turn goes in the marker. It's purpose is to eliminate the leaks that occur in the VA due to the screw hole being drilled completely through the wall of the VA into the chamber. It looks like it would also allow the use of Spyder-style valve springs because it effectively reduces the diameter of the VA passage (but not so much that it constricts airflow).

[TESballer]

true, I have one

I took off my LPC and a spyder spring wouldn't go through, so that's an option if you want