The "vortex" mod for the cyclone feeder.

http://techtpaintball.com/vortexmod.html

This "kit" contains both a new ratchet and axel. They are made of aluminum with the ratchet apperaing to be "hard" coated. The axel looks like raw aluminum.
Installation is only a little more diffucult than that of the standard parts and that has to to with the roll pins that are now used to scure the ratchet to the plunger. The stock pin will not work as it won't hold in the aluminum.

I installed the parts and manually cocked the cyclone a few times using the plunger. Uh-oh! The cyclone/plunger was not returning fully. Dang, took it apart and reasembled again. Still, same problem. Did I install the ratchet upside down or something? No, checked that again. Still the same problem. If I loosen the screws on the bottem of the cyclone less than a 1/4 turn everything frees up all nice. I decided to check the install instructions on line ( shure, now I check them...) Hmm, no online instructions yet. Just a page saying that they are on the way. ....And to use grease. Grease? DOH!!! Well, I gooped up the parts with some goo and it is moving much better, even with the screws down tight.

Testing
With a fresh 20oz ( yah, co2, I'm out of HPA right now, so deal ) I set the APE board to 25 BPS on full auto. I also have a QEV installed on the cyclone - standard line size though. I let it rip on f/a. I didn't have any paint loaded, but I was able to watch the cyclone spin with no "hesitaton" of skips. Befor the mod, I would start to "stall" on the cyclone at about 15 bps.

So, do these parts make all the differance? Well, I can't say for sure with out more testing, perhaps I was having problems with my stock cyclone parts, and stock replacements would show the same results. HOWEVER, I'm not every going to worry about these parts again. They should almost never wear out.

The bummer factor
Well, the bummer is you now have these hot parts that nobody can see. Also, they are pretty expensive at $34.99 + shipping    

i just ordered mine yesteday, but have heard nothing but good things. they do have full instructions on thier website now

Totally frogot about this....

+++++UPDATE+++++

Well, I've put quite a few cases ( at least 5 )threw this beast now and it is showing no sign of slowing down or skipping. This hold up much better than stock. IT never did fire consistantally at 25 bps. I moved up to LP hoses on the cyclone, added a QEV and the adjuster off of a R/T. The best I can do is 23 to 24 for about half the hopper, then it starts to "pop-corn" and skip balls. I can get a constant 18 to 20 however. Still the field limits me to 15, and I have no problems draining hopper after hopper at this rate. ( Side note: One day just for fun, I turned my e-grip to full auto and added a full HPA (72/3000) and went about holding down the trigger while my friend poured balls into the cyclone. I can't say for sure how many balls were fired at this rate as we were using the "left overs" and they were all in a old kitty-litter jug, but we emptied the full hpa tank, threw the flatline, with no chops/skips/ or breaks. Actually had paint dripping off of the tree. )

To sum it up, if you need to replace you ratchet, get this one!!! lube it every so often ( a case of two ) and never worry about your ratchet again.

Once I get my E-grip I'll probably get it, nice post.

-PT

the Vortex mod does work well without a Qev I could get 19 bps and at 20 it would start to skip once in awhile

I have to agree with that. The Vortex Mod does work well without a QEV. As long as you lube the cyclone internals properly, every case or two. She'll go through hopper loads of paint very nicely.

Just watch out for the piston - to -ratchet connecting pin. If it moves out of position, it will rub against the cyclone housing and slow down your cyclone, causing you to chop balls.

has everyone here cut your spring when installing the Vortex mod? i forgot to do this and now its too late. I know the parts will last longer then stock, but Im wondering if Im missing out on the increased BPS now...?

It's never too late... next time you break it down and clean/grease it... trim the spring .

Yes it helps with BPS because it reduces the friction between the ratchet and the piston.... only remove 1 or 2 coils or it wont have enough tension to stay in constant contact. ALSO the end you cut from must NOT go to the ratchet, it will have a burr on it that will drag on the ratchet axle.

Other than polishing your internals, installing an APE, and QEV, your all set to go 25 BPS

General (Sergent) Lee
over & out...

Hi guys,

after installing my ratchet last night I noticed an extra spring (which is somewhat bent) left. I cannot figure out where it went since the spring guide has the red spring (which has to be cut). So does anybody know if Tippmann maybe put two springs in their stock ratchet ?

another q : The new pin that sits against the spring is also too long for the ratchet and I hammered it so that the protruding point faces up (the cyclone lid). Now would anybody suggest filing this point down or just leave it as is ?

Thanks

Are these numbers with the Tech T lightning rod installed?