Classic valve reg body options

[Sharkytrav]

What kind of lighter weight options do we have for classic valves? I saw an aluminum back (from shocktech I think) that sold on eBay for like $200. Also Unireg and I guess black ice lowers. Diamond lab had a thing too, right?

what else fits back there? Vigilante? Ans gen x II? I’d like to find something polished and aluminum that can be anodized to match.

[DavidBoren]

I'm pretty sure ANS regs fit. I think Doc made or makes a cap for them, too. If not, maybe reach out to Kit...?

[Olsson]

Most back ends of Air America regs will fit, and as long as you have an AGD valve's innards, it will be a simple swap. However, for some of them, as well as for the unireg, you might have to switch the reg piston to an AGD one, if you don't have a complete set of AGD innards. I run a back end of an ancient AA reg, from when they were near identical to AGD valves in appearance, and it has been my best performing valve since I got it.

With that said - if you're looking to save weight, with the option to anodize, your best bet will be a Diamond Labs Hurricane valve. It looks near identical to the Shocktech valve you saw on eBay. AFAIK, they came in black or pewter, with black being the more common option. In general, they were bought empty, to use as a drop in replacement, with the guts of the existing valve. They shouldn't be too expensive either, as they aren't considered to add anything to the actual efficiency of the Mag, even though they were very popular back in the day.

They do lower the weight of the valve quite a bit, actually, being lighter than an RT-valve, but slighty heavier than an X-valve. Here is a nice little comparison;

https://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?274906-Valve-Weights

[Sharkytrav]

Thanks for the infos and the link. Looks like it is time to hit the wtb section.

[nerdcore]

Sorry to hijack but there are other reg housings that fit classic valves?? I wasn't around at the height of the automag, I only got into them a couple years ago. Well this is great news for my current build!

[Sharkytrav]

Update: I got my hands on a couple test regs from a buddy and the Vigilante doesn't work. The threads are very different. GenX-2 might work eventually but the pin on the mag side seems like it is too long to allow the reg back to screw in all the way. Not going to force it. If the pin could be made the right length, I bet it would work.

[Jordan]

Update: I got my hands on a couple test regs from a buddy and the Vigilante doesn't work. The threads are very different. GenX-2 might work eventually but the pin on the mag side seems like it is too long to allow the reg back to screw in all the way. Not going to force it. If the pin could be made the right length, I bet it would work.

GenX2 regs work but you need to swap the AIR guts into the GenX2 housing. I've done it on several Mags.

[Sharkytrav]

GenX2 regs work but you need to swap the AIR guts into the GenX2 housing. I've done it on several Mags.

Can confirm! Parts swapped and fit together. That is very exciting.

Do I need to worry about holding the assembly in place now, without that little pin on the reg body? I guess not, since the screw will be in there?

Anything to know about input pressures or anything like that, after the switch?

[Drachen]

Is it a noticable difference in weight? I have the same reg, I just gotta get a couple strap wrenches to separate the pieces.

[Sharkytrav]

ehhhh... out playing, probably not a noticeable difference in weight. It looks lighter to my eyeballs. Mostly just a fun talking point with the very few other mag people at the field I guess.

[Jordan]

Can confirm! Parts swapped and fit together. That is very exciting.

Do I need to worry about holding the assembly in place now, without that little pin on the reg body? I guess not, since the screw will be in there?

Anything to know about input pressures or anything like that, after the switch?

I put a dab of loctite on the threads, just for my own peace of mind, but it shouldn't move.

Input pressures shouldn't change - really, all you've done is replace the outer housing of the reg, so treat it like any other Classic valved Mag.

[Olsson]

Update: I got my hands on a couple test regs from a buddy and the Vigilante doesn't work. The threads are very different. GenX-2 might work eventually but the pin on the mag side seems like it is too long to allow the reg back to screw in all the way. Not going to force it. If the pin could be made the right length, I bet it would work.

My humble apologies. I was under the impression that the threads and design were the same for all generations of AA regs. I hope I didn't make you buy the wrong reg.

[Jordan]

My humble apologies. I was under the impression that the threads and design were the same for all generations of AA regs. I hope I didn't make you buy the wrong reg.

Its just the Unireg variants - Black Ice, Messiah, etc - that are the same. IIRC, AA and AGD worked together on the Unireg design, it's basically a Mag valve that threads into an ASA.

[Sharkytrav]

My humble apologies. I was under the impression that the threads and design were the same for all generations of AA regs. I hope I didn't make you buy the wrong reg.

No no, just borrowed. No worries at all! I do like that reg and will probably be keeping it for another thing I have going on.