Probably not, would need to try it on a test server.
That would be the issue. If a player can't take out the aug, then it would be lost when upgrading your Epic.
I was able to remove a type 4 / 8 aug from a Slot type 2 using a distiller after changing the weapon
Could change all current augs to ... Feet slot only augs those breaking all weapons...
Players trade the old aug in for a new aug to a vendor.