Custom Hi-Capa. Where to Start?

[ILLusion]

I've still had no problems with the AS nozzles in my setups. Some have been running for several thousand shots now.

Power

High flow valves offer the highest FPS bang for your buck increase. I've tested a whole bunch for the Hi-Capa series and the KM / Head 1950 valves seem to be the most effective, which is why I stock them now. They provide high velocity with very tight shot to shot velocity consistency.

The second next most effective power upgrade would be a longer inner barrel. Going to a 7" inner barrel (hide it with a compensator or suppressor) can get you up to 380fps with other power upgrades. Shooting with heavier BBs will yield power equivalent to over 400fps with 0.20g BBs.

Power up cylinder bulbs offer another minor boost, as does Nine Ball air seal rubber.

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Efficiency

Anything that lightens the slide weight and tightens up the seals will increase gas usage and efficiency.

- Again, Nine Ball air seal hop up rubber
- Ventilated piston head
- Rocket valve / Cylinder bulb with o-ring
- ILLusion Kinetics Super Light Weight blowback unit
- Nine Ball Feather Weight blowback unit (lighter than my unit, but not as durable)
- "Speedholes" cut in to the slide and/or shortened slide
- Lighter springs for reduced resistance (but will slow down cycling speeds, you will need to figure out a proper balance for your requirements)
- Replacing open sights with nothing or something lighter

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Speed


Cycling speed is affected by three factors: slide assembly weight, gas output power and return spring speed strength. Parts that would increase cycling speed:

- Stronger recoil spring
- Lighter slide (speed ports, smaller slide, etc)
- Shortened slide stroke
- Shock buffers
- Replace open sights with lighter components or remove them altogether
- Lighter weight blowback units

[Cilantro]

So after getting a TM Hi-Capa 5.1 in the mail last week, I've been dicking around with it, and I really wantto continue with this project, see if my funds will let me finish it before the end of the season.

For the externals, I already have the lower and frame (thanks ILLusion), and I'll be getting the Shooter's Design Springfield Armories Vreaker12 ported slide/barrel/chamber. I've opted for this, rather than going for a custom slide/barrel set from ILLusion mainly because of funds. However, one thing that's bugged me is that nobody makes satin furniture (beavertail, safety,slide release) except for ILLusion's slide release, and I was wondering if anyone knew how to satin finish metal, or where I could get it done.

As for the internals, I figured that I'd use shock buffers and a stronger spring for speed, and a tightbore barrel coupled with a highflow valve for power. Now as for pistons, cylinders and blowback units, I'm lost. for the cylinder, I was thinking about the Airsoft Surgeon kit, as opposed to the SD kit, as it seems to be more durable. As for pistons, I don't even know if it needs to be replaced, or should be, quite frankly, and the same goes for blowback units, although I must say that ILLusion's looks pretty sweet. So I'm pretty much at acrossroads as to what I should earmark in terms of internals, and any help would be appreciated.

[ILLusion]

To satin finish a part, you could try sand blasting the part. I have no recommendation for places to get it done.

The piston heads don't NEED to be replaced, unless you're running an older version Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa. In any case, the Airsoft Surgeon loading nozzle will come with an enhanced piston head that's more durable than any of the Tokyo Marui options anyways.

The super light weight blowback unit is not necessary, but it does improve cycling speed and reduce gas consumption. This also comes with an integrated piston head that has a proprietary mount, so it can not be swapped. However, fitment of this blowback unit to a Shooters Design slide will not be the greatest.... nor will a Tokyo Marui blowback unit, for that matter. I've found the internal construction of Shooters Design slides to be inconsistent. Sometimes, the components register perfectly. Other times, a lot of work will be required to get parts fitting just right.

Trying to figure out what internals to get will be confusing if you don't have a plan set out. You need to identify WHAT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS you want the gun to have, before you can go forward with picking parts.

Otherwise, you'll end up doing what I do and just throw EVERYTHING in, and $1700 later, you'll be sitting there wondering why your wallet is empty.

[Cilantro]

I'm disappointed to hear that about the SD slide, and from the description, I'm not sure the SD cylinder would be the most durable choice. As for what I'm aiming for, I guess it would be an all-rounder with a focus on power, which is mainly why I'm considering swapping out much of the internals. The more I think about it though, the more I have to go back to the drawing board, especially about that SD slide... I'd assume that proper fitment of the blowback unit is essential to it working properly.

[ILLusion]

I actually like the SD nozzle, but because it's a very bright white, it just looks odd in a "tactical" build.

And besides that, the SD nozzle does not fit too well with the ILLusion Kinetics light weight blowback unit, due to slight differences in the o-ring outer dia versus the inner dia of the SD nozzle. If you can find o-rings that are roughly the same size but with a slightly larger outer diameter, then you could get the blowback unit to work with the SD nozzle.

I mean... it will fit. The gun will work... but it may use up a bit more gas and blowback may be a tiny bit weaker.

If you want power, get high flow valves. They are your primary power boost and will get you the most *bang* for your buck (quite literally.) Following that, a longer tighter inner barrel will give the next largest velocity boost, and finally, the rocket valve (or "cylinder bulb") will net you the third increase in power.

Beyond that, it just gets exponentially more expensive to eek out 2-5fps more power.

[Cilantro]

So because nobody does hi-capa parts in matte (slide excluded), I've been looking into sandblasting, but I've also seen real steel parts like the slide lock in matte and was wondering if real steel safety, beavertail and slide locks will fit on hi-capas. I was also wondering about barrel bushings: what they do, what I need to fit one (if I wanted one) etc.

[RacingManiac]

They won't fit without some pretty serious amount of work....sandblasting existing polished parts will get you a mette finished, most machining shop should have a sandblaster that they use to clean up burrs and other crap off the part...

I really should just measure what O-ring I am using with the SD nozzle+ILLusion Kinetic BBU....and someone should just order a bag of a 100 from McMaster-Carr....I know the ones that come with the SD Piston set works....but ordering that for just the O-rings(yes, it does come with 2) seems expensive...

[ILLusion]

I already have slide locks in matte finish in stock... don't see why you'll need to go to real steel.

Real steel will not fit without modification.
That goes for the beavertail, the grip safeties, the main spring housing, the slide lock, the mag release button, barrel bushings, spring plugs, recoil guides, etc etc etc. NO real steel version will fit without heavy modification or a completely new frame.