Do Catch Cans Work? You be the judge.

[BennyMac]

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p297/ryan038/P9040002.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p297/ryan038/P9040003.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p297/ryan038/P9040008.jpg

Trip:
Narre Warren-> Swifts Creek-> Bairnsdale-> Swifts Creek-> Narre Warren.

Ben

[HSV Listy]

Was this one vented or sealed. It would be interesting to see if there is a difference between the two.

Good information and proof is in the can as such.

The fuel consumption average seems high for the average km and a road trip. Lots of variables I know like the right foot and others. Just another thought you may have reset the fuel usage and not the total km. Forget my comments

[Excellent]

Extrapolating the result, you'd be capturing around 0.1L per 13,000 kms. Not a big result.

[vzss05]

Never mind

[vyc4b]

100ml in 13,000klm's not a big deal.........seems a lot to me.
I don't have a can fitted, but one of the Guy's I know with one fitted see's only about a Teaspoon in each service, which would sound about right.

I should really get one fitted though, after seeing that.
Cheers.

[XUV]

What's the idea/purpose of them ??

[ronie]

I dont fully understand how they work, I was told if you dont have a real hi proformace car its not worth it. Is this true?

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Basically, a catch can catches the oil that would normally be sent back into the engine via the PCV valve and into the intake.

High comression engines and FI benefit the most, but on a relatively stock engine, personally, I wouldn't bother.

100ml over 13000kms is about 8 microlitres per km. That is 8 thousanths of a milliliter.

Just to expand on it a bit more, too much oil getting into the intake is a bad thing as it lowers the octane rating of the fuel and may cause detonation. But the amount of oil that is getting in from the above car is bugger all really.

[WLDLS1]

yes they do work. mine is a sealed unit and i also run a washable fuel filter in line as well and my manifold is bone dry with no oil at all. i clean out the can and filter once a month but there is always only a couple of drops in it. i have tried a vented one and did not like it. i would use one on any car. moddified or stock. it wont hurt. it will only make things better.

[Number55]

Basically, a catch can catches the oil that would normally be sent back into the engine via the PCV valve and into the intake.





.

The pressure out of the PCV is crankcase pressure yes?

This gets worse with blowby in a FI engine. The more pressure in the crankcase the more likely liquids will be suspended in the gas being vented by the PCV?
Thus dropping out at lower temps and pressures in the inlet manifold causing ignition issues??!!

Sorry I'm a bit new to this...!

[Wonky]

Sorry I'm a bit new to this...!

Me too! I gathered they aren't really necessary in a VE, or is that only for the drags? :confused:

[SSV350.1]

I just put one on my car...will be interesting to see what happens....

[DioXidE]

Correct me if Im wrong, but doens't oil in a catchcan mean excessive blowby? Which only happens in old and worn out engines?

[macca_779]

Correct me if Im wrong, but doens't oil in a catchcan mean excessive blowby? Which only happens in old and worn out engines?

If you think you get zero blow by in a new engine your kidding yourself. Have a look inside you manifold to see how much oil you have in there.

[cosmo vyss]

I have a sealed unit on mine and it catches a fair bit. I used to get the occasional pinging when under load (giving it a bootfull up a hill). The manifold was filthy a good clean and a catch fitted stopped this. Even tiny amounts can affect the fuel rating. Imagine that amount shown earlier over that trip how much i would equate to over say 50k. Thats a fair bit of crap going into your manifold. Oped or unopened engines can benifit from having one of these fitted.

[vr5speedv6]

I'm about to fit one of these elite catch cans as well, be interesting to see how much oil it catches on a 320000km engine!!
Also run some AC delco combustion chamber cleaner through it, great stuff. Just make sure to do an oil change afterwards as it does get past the rings.

[troytroy]

I just emptied my Catch can last night when I serviced the car. It does capture a measurable amount of oil. I'd rather that oil in my catch can than gunking up my intake.

[RRossi]

I'm about to fit one of these elite catch cans as well, be interesting to see how much oil it catches on a 320000km engine!!
Also run some AC delco combustion chamber cleaner through it, great stuff. Just make sure to do an oil change afterwards as it does get past the rings.

What is this stuff you speak of and does it work??

is it avalible through Ampcap? or dealers??


RR

[vr5speedv6]

What is this stuff you speak of and does it work??

is it avalible through Ampcap? or dealers??


RR

It'll clean out your intake (though I'd recommend taking the intake off and giving it a full clean) and helps remove carbon build up in the combustion chamber that reduces performance and can cause pinging.
I noticed a smoother idle and better throttle response and it went a bit harder too:)
It's basically the same stuff as mopar combustion cleaner (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/1135955-seafoam-mopar-combustion-chamber-cleaner.html)

I got the stuff over here in qld through global auto spares. Have a look (http://www.acdelco.com.au/chemicals_combustclean.html) on their website for local stockists.

[boyley]

I have a query on this topic

I have fitted a closed catch can to my FI setup and have been asked if it should be vented?:confused:

Now being a nunce on FI my answer was dunno. It is plumbed from the right side rocker cover to the back of the T/B and it was suggested the manifold pressure would be forced back to the head?

Is this an issue or does the PCV act as a non return??

[macca_779]

The PCV does act as a non return but the valves are pretty shit. If it was me I would be installing a quality check valve in series to totally prevent pressure running back.

[WLDLS1]

The PCV does act as a non return but the valves are pretty shit. If it was me I would be installing a quality check valve in series to totally prevent pressure running back.

this check valve sounds intresting. where could one get one.?

[boyley]

this check valve sounds intresting. where could one get one.?

Yeah and what spring rate should we request?

[Jesterarts]

Sorry to do an EPPIC thread did.. I've been using the search funciton ;)

But, I have a cammed LS2 running a 23*/23* cam and Higgins Heads.

Should I get a catch can?

If so, should I get a sealed or vented one?

I know that the LS2 rocker covers are slightly different to the LS1 and L76 and they have the extra plastic thing that is supposed to help the oil issues but I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance.

[QldKev]

Sorry to do an EPPIC thread did.. I've been using the search funciton ;)

But, I have a cammed LS2 running a 23*/23* cam and Higgins Heads.

Should I get a catch can?

If so, should I get a sealed or vented one?

I know that the LS2 rocker covers are slightly different to the LS1 and L76 and they have the extra plastic thing that is supposed to help the oil issues but I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance.

my 2c

Yes, get one. You don't want all that crap oil in the intake manifold, and getting sucked into the charge air reducing the octane of the fuel and carboning up everything.

A sealed one is legal, a vented on is not.

QldKev

[VTSSDUDE]

I have a basic catch can in my car. In line from PCV valve to inlet.
I still have the driver's side rocker cover straight to throttle body though, and the catch can is sealed and it just a straight through one, no baffles in it.
It has taken me 3 years to have it filled just under a quarter. I will empty it next service.
Is it possible to Y in the rocker cover to Throttle body line or do we leave this one alone?

[Jesterarts]

my 2c

Yes, get one. You don't want all that crap oil in the intake manifold, and getting sucked into the charge air reducing the octane of the fuel and carboning up everything.

A sealed one is legal, a vented on is not.

QldKev

Cheers, I think I will invest in one in the near future. Are the Elite ones really worth the money or are there other brand ones that are just as good?


I have a basic catch can in my car. In line from PCV valve to inlet.
I still have the driver's side rocker cover straight to throttle body though, and the catch can is sealed and it just a straight through one, no baffles in it.
It has taken me 3 years to have it filled just under a quarter. I will empty it next service.
Is it possible to Y in the rocker cover to Throttle body line or do we leave this one alone?

There is a thread on here that talks about installing catch cans and how it varies from engine to engine. I think I did year that on the 5.7's guys where running pipes from both sides into a Y and through a single can.

Just do a quick search, I was reading it 5min ago but didn't save the link.

Apparently having an LS2 I'm lucky as the pipes installation is the easiest on this engine of all of them! :D

[HOLDAN]

Following my 402ci stroker build in the VE, my oil consumption went through the roof. 1l/2000km. Took the car back (and got the gearbox done at them same time - well still getting it done and don't ask) and when the inlet manifold was removed, a bucket of oil spilled out. It seems the stroker resulted in an increase in manifold vacuum and was sucking oil up. Have an Eilte catch can fitted but still haven't got the car back to be able to determine if it has fixed the problem.

Regards, Dan

[duke5700]

The ability for a big engine to breathe is very important.. turbo and supercharge even more so. I would be doing rocker covers and the valley cover.

When you buy a catch can, clever tricks and wanky billetness don't make up for surface area to catch the oil residue. You want to slow the gasses down and give it something to pass through multiple times and then drain it back into the sump.

[vsspack]

Well i sure hope they work,
Just ordered one from elite engineering for the SS hoping it will not so much solve but at least explain the oil consumption issue ive been having. Although i think i need new head or rocker gaskets as ive got a leak coming from there too lol.

[BennyMac]

From memory i used a Greedy Catch Can for that trip.
The Elite is one top bit of gear :)

[Cmycv8]

I had an issue with the LS1 and blow by, once there was enough oil and sludge on the throttle body it stick open and would bring the revs up to around 1100RPM and hold it there.

Once a month I would remove the OTR and clean out the TB and was a frustrating exercise. Once I fitted the Elite catch can this stopped the blow by from entering the intake and stopped the excess build up on the TB.

It collects about 15ml a month so it is working and highly recomend getting one.

[macca33]

Elite = GOOD! All cars will pass oil through the PCV system - the oil is mixed with the air, so some will inevitably get through.

cheers

[Jesterarts]

Alright-e-o then... Looks like I'm saving up to get a Elite Catch Can! :)

Cheets guys.

[IJ.]

New engines will always be a bit puffy until the rings seal up then you have a sweet spot for xxx Km's then they start to breath a bit, this increases with FI or sustained high RPM.

I built my own Catch can for the L98 in the last project car and will reuse it once I start adding power, it has an internal Baffle to act as a seperator and is full of stainless pot scrubbers to add surface area for condensation.

I used a Check valve in it and an easy to use ball valve/hose for draining.

http://ij.supramania.com/public/catchcan.jpg

[chocco]

I also have a catch can on my VE after its done 13K so far in total.

After I installed the Elite catch can checked it after 1000k and this is how much I had in it. Since I intsalled it I reckon I have filled the can full once in total, but I check it every couple of months and just drain the little bit that it has in it.

I will be getting for the VZ once I have some extra cash.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M8NB0sfVQiI/TiulBzjIF_I/AAAAAAAAACE/turF75zbwtU/2010-12-15_15.47.25.jpg

[vsspack]

For those considering getting one i got mine for roughly 190 delivered from Elite Engineering.
The fact that the aussie dollars 1.10USD makes it well worth ordering it straight from them.


Good to hear your throttle body is now oil free too because mine gets filth behing the OTR just seems to build up oil around the TB

[surfwagon]

I remember when I fitted my Elite my inlet manifold had pools of oil in it so I cleaned it out at the same time.
I have checked it twice since fitting the Elite and the manifold is still clean, bit shiney with oil film but no pools like before.
I think I've done 3 oil changes (@5k) with the can fitted and each time get between 10-20mm of oil in the can.
I also added 2 more coarse SS pot scrubbers in the lower reservoir just to make sure the oil and vapour separate.


__________________________________________________ ____________
senator http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=121025
dyno http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=137278229
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/surfwagon/senatorbarbadosblue.jpg

[AllWheelSlide]

I do wonder what the warranty implications are for adding a catch can. Can't imagine there would be any, but then again....
On another front I would have thought a little oil back via the intake wouldn't be so bad (lube valves etc.) but interweb search seems to indicate it's excessive and causes fouling of intake and carb build up. Hmmm....

[IJ.]

I do wonder what the warranty implications are for adding a catch can. Can't imagine there would be any, but then again....
On another front I would have thought a little oil back via the intake wouldn't be so bad (lube valves etc.) but interweb search seems to indicate it's excessive and causes fouling of intake and carb build up. Hmmm....

Also dilutes the intake charge so octane ratings change...

Not really an issue for NA cars but FI cars that are close to detonation could be pushed over the edge.

[vsspack]

whats the best way to clean the manifold out?
Figure i may as well do it when i fit my elite can next weekend.
Cheers

[Jesterarts]

For those considering getting one i got mine for roughly 190 delivered from Elite Engineering.
The fact that the aussie dollars 1.10USD makes it well worth ordering it straight from them.


Good to hear your throttle body is now oil free too because mine gets filth behing the OTR just seems to build up oil around the TB

How did you get that price?

I contacted them today, and the price I got was $169 + $46 shipping?

After international visa charges/etc it was around $205. Haven't purchased yet though... might hold off a week or two considering what the AUD is doing... :p

[vsspack]

Eh i payed with my master card and i dont know if i have overseas charges or not haha but 215usd is 195aud at the moment so thats what i was going off.

[macca33]

How did you get that price?

I contacted them today, and the price I got was $169 + $46 shipping?

After international visa charges/etc it was around $205. Haven't purchased yet though... might hold off a week or two considering what the AUD is doing... :p
The AUD is hardly going to get better than US$1.10, besides which, the variation will only amount to around AUD$10 at most anyway. $205 is a good price.

[vsspack]

Its still almost 50 cheaper than buying locally so i was happy lol

[Kingston_99]

i have a petersons can waiting at my tuners. will let ya know how much it catchs on a F/I engine.

[v8fazz]

I have the Elite Engineering catch can sitting at home waiting to be fitted. Better safe than sorry although its not doing much good sitting in my room!

[stupotarnie]

The Elite ones are so dear, Are they that much beter than other brands on ebay......If they are I might get one myself....ha ha.

[v8fazz]

I honestly cant comment if they are better than anything else on the market but I chose the Elite can for 2 reasons - after reading plenty of positive comments about them on here, and for the neat appearance and choice of colour!

[QldKev]

The elite fit nice, look nice and have a decent baffle system.

The ebay (I used a calibre from SuperCrap) ones don't have any baffling. If I had plenty of spare coin I would have got the elite. In my case I budget for mods, and if I spend too much on one thing it means other mods are delayed even longer. With the super cheap one I cut some termimesh to separate the inlet and outlet tubes. The air has to pass through it and help drop out the oil. I know some people have used s/s scourers. But when I researched it I found a couple had started breaking up after years of use, last thing you want is bits of s/s scourers getting sucked into the intake. I've got info and pics on my website http://home.exetel.com.au/qldkev/

QldKev

[VTSSDUDE]

That's the reason why I haven't used any baffles or scouring pads in mine. I think some sturdy mesh might be the go.

[macca_779]

The Elite ones are so dear, Are they that much beter than other brands on ebay......If they are I might get one myself....ha ha.

They are very well made and are specific for our engines. The price for quality. If you are meticulous about your engine they are worth every cent.

[Ruger]

every car should have a catch can!
It doesnt hurt to have it sitting there.
I bought my car with 140,000 country k's. Never driven hard. Not one drop of oil underneath but the engine well run in. When i got behind the wheel and started flogging it, it developed a rear main seal oil leak. Catch can utilising all the breather in the rocker covers (theres a plugged off one at the rear of the passenger side rocker cover) and it solved my leak.

What does that tell you? the engine is a heavy breather and the factory pcv system wasnt sufficient and positive pressure was building in the crank case forcing the oil out of the ever so fragile rear main seal.

No catch can and id be up for $1500 or so to do the seal and it'd leak again in 10k

[vsspack]

All comes down to quality, would you buy the 100dollar thin fiberglass otr or the 4-700 dollar dus or russo etc? Redback press bend exhaust or xforce/dfillipo? I know its not quite apples for apples but its all principle, i try to get the better product, just at the cheapest price haha

[vsspack]

every car should have a catch can!
It doesnt hurt to have it sitting there.
I bought my car with 140,000 country k's. Never driven hard. Not one drop of oil underneath but the engine well run in. When i got behind the wheel and started flogging it, it developed a rear main seal oil leak. Catch can utilising all the breather in the rocker covers (theres a plugged off one at the rear of the passenger side rocker cover) and it solved my leak.

What does that tell you? the engine is a heavy breather and the factory pcv system wasnt sufficient and positive pressure was building in the crank case forcing the oil out of the ever so fragile rear main seal.

No catch can and id be up for $1500 or so to do the seal and it'd leak again in 10k

Any chance you could post a pic of your install up? Situation sounds very similar to mine haha

[Wonky]

All comes down to quality, ......... Redback press bend exhaust or xforce/dfillipo?

Surely you aren't grouping XFarce and DF together as like for like? :eeew: :spew:

[Cmycv8]

The Elite ones are so dear, Are they that much beter than other brands on ebay......If they are I might get one myself....ha ha.

I contacted Elite in the states over a year ago and they would only sell from a rep here in Melbourne, there was a $300 price tag but I wanted a good one. They are now just over $200 from the states and are worth every penny.

Good things aren't cheap and cheap things aren't good.


Surely you aren't grouping XFarce and DF together as like for like? :eeew: :spew:

I am looking at a new exhaust and I am heading straight to DF, nuff' said.

[vsspack]

Im not talking xforce cats rofl.
(well aware difillipos better was just making a quick point lol)

[QldKev]

That's the reason why I haven't used any baffles or scouring pads in mine. I think some sturdy mesh might be the go.

Check out the termimesh for it. Its a decent stainless steel mesh, but with sh!tloads of fine holes, too small for a termite, but great for airflow.

http://www.termimesh.com.au/


QldKev

[Ruger]

Any chance you could post a pic of your install up? Situation sounds very similar to mine haha

I wont post a pic its very easy to describe but highly epa illegal and its a custom made can to suit.

I have a filtered can with 3 inlets and an outlet.

the rear p/s port on the rocker cover goes to the can
front d/s port on the rocker cover goes to the can
the valley cover port goes to the can
the outlet on the can goes to the manifold and is heavily baffled/filtered

this provides maximum breathing for my high k engine and it sure catches a fair bit of oil.

mine is a series 2 vy so it doesnt have the electric pcv and the pcv hose goes from the valley cover straight to the inlet and the rocker cover straight to the inlet.