How to Install the M4A1 V8 Turbo Upgrade Kit

Figuring out how to install the M4A1 V8 Turbo upgrade kit shouldn’t feel like earning a PhD. Fortunately, we’ve written this easy guide to simplify everything.

We run through what you need to know about this installation, so you can get back outside and start blasting again. 

So, without further ado, what do you need to do to fit this mod?

What You Get In The M4A1 V8 Turbo Upgrade Kit

The M4A1 V8 Turbo upgrade kit comes with all sorts of lovely goodies to enhance your blasting experience. These include: 

• 11.1-volt battery
• A B3 charger
• A 29 cm aluminium barrel with T piece
• 1.3 spring
• Rizer hopper
• External magazine

Once you have all these pieces, applying this upgrade yourself is simple. When finished, you should have a blaster with more power, accuracy and reliability–everything you need to get to gel-blasting heaven. 

Tools You Require

For this upgrade, you’ll need:

• A small, thin Phillips head screwdriver
• A 2.5 mm hex head
• A 1.5 mm hex head

These tools make it simpler to disassemble and assemble your kit so you can get back to blasting faster. 

How to Install The M4A1 V8 Turbo Upgrade Kit

So, what do you need to do?

Step 1: Tear Down The M4A1 Gel Blaster

First, you’ll need to tear down your M4A1 gel blaster.

1. Remove the handguard

To remove the handguard, twist it to the right and gently pull it forward. For stubborn handguards, give it a bit of wiggle to loosen it first. 

Removing the handguard exposes the gel blaster’s internals. 

2. Remove the receiver screws

Next, use the 2.5 mm hex head to remove the first five head screws on the main receiver body and then switch to the Phillips screwdriver to remove the remaining head screws. (Don’t forget the ones on top that secure the top rail.) 

After that unscrew the Phillips head screw that holds the magazine release. 

(If you have a pot or safe spot to keep all the screws, use it to avoid losing any). 

3. Remove the pistol grip top plate

After that, you’ll want to remove the top plate on the pistol grip. The small weight inside you should be kept separate. 

4. Remove the top half of the receiver

Finally, remove the top half of the receiver by pulling back the charging handle slightly. Then, lift the top half of the receiver to reveal the gearbox and wiring inside. 

Step 2: Replace the T-Piece and Inner Barrel

The upgrade kit offers a new aluminium barrel and T-piece that improves FPS and durability, which is why this upgrade is so popular. 

1. Remove the old T-piece

Start by removing the old T-piece with your Phillips head screwdriver, ensuring you unthread all the screws. Then, split the front half of the gearbox and pull out the old T-piece and barrel. 

2. Install the new T-piece and barrel

With the old kit removed, apply a small amount of glue to the new 29 cm barrel where it connects to the T-piece. 

Insert the barrel into the T-piece and turn it slowly to make the glue grab before leaving it to set for a while. 

Then, finally, reinstall the assembled barrel and T-piece into the gearbox. Do this by splitting the front half and then sliding it back into its proper position. 

Step 3: Replace the spring

Next, you’ll want to replace the spring with the 1.3. 

Do this by: 

1. Tilting back the gearbox to reach the spring area while being careful to avoid damaging any wiring. 
   
   
2. Removing the old spring with a blunt tool, like a flat-head screwdriver, by pushing the spring retainer to the left. 
   
   
3. Installing the new 1.3 spring by positioning the end with the most coils at the rear of the gearbox and then turning the retainer to the right with the flathead screwdriver to ensure it locks into place

Step 4: Reassemble The Blaster

With that done, it’s the fun part: reassembling the blaster. 

1. Reattach the receiver’s top half

Start by reattaching the receiver’s top half by pulling back the charging handle and lowering the top half into place.

2. Secure the screws

Next, return the screws to their proper position, beginning with the larger hex head screws to hold the whole assembly together. Then, reinstall the Phillips head screws for the magazine release and top rails. 

3. Reinstall the handguard

Finally, put the handguard back in place by sliding it back on and then twisting it rightwards to lock it into place. 

Step 5: Install The Rizer Hop-Up

Lastly, you need to install the hop-up. This addition gives you an adjustable spin on your shots. 

To attach the hop-up, slide it onto the front of the blaster, checking it for alignment. Then, use the 1.5 mm hex head to tighten it into place. 

You can adjust the hop-up via the two adjustment points. One is for the top and upward curvature of the device, and the other is for the downward curvature. You can play around with these until you find a calibration you like. 

Step 6: Test Your Upgrades

Finally, test your upgrades to see if they improved your gel blaster’s performance. 

You can do this by performing an FPS test using a chronograph. Stock blasters have an FPS range of 245-250 under ideal conditions. However, the Turbo Upgrade kit can increase this to 290-300 FPS. 

You should also check the accuracy of the shot. You don’t want the additions sending it out of life. 

Shoot a target 15 metres away to see how the upgrade performs. If you notice shots veering off in the wrong direction, tighten or loosen the adjustment points. 

When using the M4A1 V8 Turbo upgrade kit, be sure to use the B3 Charger to avoid overextending the 11.1V battery. Also, always wear eye protection. If you need help with this kit or any blaster, talk to the GBU team.