Questions about upgrading my TM AK-47

[SpartanFett]

So im going to upgrade my TM AK soon it only shoots 280 now wich isn't turning any heads in games... I want it to be about 330-350fps after the upgrade. As far as i know its all factory, so If I put a stronger spring like a 120 would it be wise to get better gears, a stronger high torque motor... all that good stuff, please tell me and i would like to do it myself but do you think gearbox would be cheaper? Thanks for any help!

[xtremeairsoft]

i would put an upgrade spring, and a new motor that can handle the spring, to start off.

[morugatu]

Get some steel bushings, shims, someone who can shim, spring, and a high mAh battery to keep it running smoothly with that spring rate

Personally I'd also throw in a metal spring guide, cylinder head, some cheap chinese gears or some expensive Prometheus/RiotSC custom gears, a super high torque motor, and new piston head (or drill some ports into the stock one). But its not necessary.

In all honesty, I'd consider selling the AK and looking into a CYMA/Echo 1 Red star AK as the only thing they really need is a lower-rate spring, better shimming, and they are good to go. I know it sounds silly, especially if you love your AK, but the CYMA's are REALLY nice externally and internally not to mention they are right about the price of a Marui if not cheaper.

I've played against a friend who owns one and have been inside the gearbox, its just a really beautiful gun inside and out. If I ever get another AK, it will be a CYMA. In comparison to my other teammate's Tokyo Marui AK47, there is just no competition. Especially once you start looking at the price it takes to get a TM full wood, metal, upgraded internally, etc.

[SpartanFett]

Thanks for the info I don't think I'll be buying a CYMA anytime soon I'm ok with the TM as far as the gun goes accept for the FPS, and I would like to upgrade it myself... Maybe I'll just go back to my MAC 11 untill I can afford the cost of the upgrades!

[stealthmaster14]

If your AK comes with an EG1000 motor, then it will handle an M110 spring fine with a 9.6v battery.  (should be able to pull it on an 8.4v as well)

At the least:
metal bushings
M110
reshim/regrease

Middle ground:
Metal bushings
M110 spring
Metal bearing spring guide (TMs come with a plastic spring guide, so it's a good idea to swap it out for a metal bearing spring guide)

Also a good idea to adjust the angle of engagement.  (google it if you don't know, there are plenty of guides)

TM gears aren't designed for stronger springs, but I have "heard" (keyword) that they can handle M110s reliably.  If you want to be safe, install a set of JG, XYT, GE, SHS, or some other durable chinese gearset along with the other upgrades mentioned above and you'll be fine.  

Ehobbyasia.com is a great place to buy upgrades.  They have excellent prices.  

Me personally, this would be my list:
Deans connectors
Guarder SP100 (basically an M110 spring)
SHS, super shooter, etc metal bearing spring guide
G&P 6mm metal bushings
G&P shims
JG, XYT, GE, SHS, or some other ACM gearset
Element POM piston head.  

If you really want to save money, you could get an Element FTK and an M110 spring.  Element FTKs have some nice parts (piston, piston head, gears), but the bushings and spring guide are not the greatest.  (spring guide has a weak plastic shaft)

[SpartanFett]

Checking it out now, Thanks!

[icorus16666]

if you want to just play at vangaurd. that ak is set up just right for it. The trigger response would be heightened by a mosfet and a lipo. This is important because most games there are semi only. If you want to play outside get a cyma, they are cheap and fairly reliable.

[Rogue Fox]

I personally would never get rid of a TM for a CYMA, its like trading a KWA for a cybergun. If your TM is fully stock you should only need a m110. Stock, never opened TM gearboxes are among the best in terms of relaibility, and TM hopups are considered to be the best by alot of people.

[XavierMace]

If you are shooting for 330fps, then a Guarder SP100 is much to strong.

[TommyGun]

TM's are great guns if you leave them stock.  I haven't read anything on a TBB: http://www.airsoftgi.com/index.php?cPath=31_334   This could raise your FPS to around 300fps, might make the difference you need plus a TBB is a part you need.  Other wise like the other guys stated running a heavier spring means you will have to upgrade other parts. (spring guide, bushings) Here is a spring I have had really good consistent FPS with:  http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.p ... ts_id=2456   and it should meet your required fps limit.

[I Slap Fat Kids]

You'll probably need to replace the piston and piston-head if you want to replace the spring.  My Marui came with the spring connected to the piston.  You'll want to keep the O-ring because, like the hop-up, stock Marui O-rings give a great seal, even without a vented piston-head.  If you upgrade the spring, you'll probably want to upgrade the bushings to metal ones, too.  If you do it yourself, make sure to seep the same shimming on it during the upgrade, Marui is great because they shim well at the factory.  Don't mess with the hop-up, it'll be hard to make it any better.  You also shouldn't need to upgrade the motor, either.  My P90 was getting between 15 and 20 BPS with an 8.4V mini pulling a Guarder SP110 spring.  The EG1000 is a great motor.

Do you have an idea of how old the gun is and/or how many rounds have been through it?  If it's pretty old, you might want to change the O-ring on the piston-head.

And as TommyGun stated, they are great when left stock.  If you don't crack the gearbox open, these things will last for ever without a problem, usually.

[SpartanFett]

Well I bought it used so I don't know how many rounds have been fired but it's in excellent condition I still have nit crack the gear box open yet so maybe I won't if it's so perfect the way it is I really want an m4 that metal so I might just sell or trade the AK...

Im really not sure I like it a lot but I want an M4... Help me I don't know what to do!!!!