The Catch Can

So you may have seen them and you may wonder what they do. Short and simple it keeps oil from coming into your intake and thus your cylinders from the PCV. Now you wonder why this is important? Over time aspirated oil that is introduced will tend to gum up your throttle body, and over prolonged time just burn off and add to the excess gunk inside the engine. Though I don't use the technical terms advocated by the hardcore types, it's a simple mod that could prevent a little excess intake of oil into your engine. Oil should be used as a lubricant in the engine, not as a combustible source. It is argued that it may help keep a positive vacuum on the motor, could likely add life to the motor, and will keep your gasoline's octane rating closer by not being polluted by oil.

The jury is out and there are just as many people that advocate the usage as there are those that are non-believers. I for one err on the side of caution as I choose to take what positive steps I can to keep my baby running smoothly. Uncle Sugar doesn't pay all that well and I hope to one day have this paid off, rebuilt to super-stupid and hit ludicrous speed before I die. I for one believe that simply removing the oil is worth it. Is it for you.....your choice. Education is the key.

See my pics below.

 

To the left of the carbon fiber intake you'll see a silver cylinder. Two silver braided lines with red covers next to brass fittings.

Mine is an old BMC (now Speedlogix) catch can.

 

I did the install shortly after buying it. A friend had a 2006 SRT8 Charger and bought it from what used to be BMC (now Speedlogix) and had never installed it.

The install is simple, tools needed you either have or can easily have access to if you go to a major parts store chain (they do loaners).

I'm not mechanically inclined, but I did more reading and mocking it up than the install to ensure I did it properly. All told, 1 hour of my time. This was spent primarily with another friend that was talking me through engine components and me ogling his car. His is the 350Z on the page where my burnout vid is found.

Simple mod for around $200 (including can, braided lines, and shipping).

 

Catch cans have been around for awhile. Just seemed to get popular again the past few years it seems.
I ran one on my SRT10. I would empty it every oil change (or when it came out the breather on top).
One of my "to do's" for the Challey.

You can see it tucked in behind the CAI on the truck (bottom left)

 

The Billet Technology Catch Cans are our best selling item.

I put one on and never looked back. Just empty it every oil change.

Here is some more info a customer had dug up on another forum,

An oil catch can is used in turbo applications, or high-performance race applications where excessive blow-by (leakage past the piston rings) of air and fuel vapor occurs. This creates a positive pressure in the crankcase. Engine manufactures have placed a valve on the engine block which releases this pressure. This valve is known as a PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve. During engine operation, blow-by gases, as well as oil mist from the rotating components of the engine, pass through the PCV valve and are routed back into the intake for the engine to burn off. However, some of the oil mist and other products settle along the engine intake and over time form a "gunk." The oil catch can collects the oil mist and condenses the fuel vapors while allowing "cleaner" gases to be passed back into the intake. Typically the blow-by gasses are passed through a wire mesh, which give the vapor droplets something to adhere to. Since the oil catch cans condense the vapor portion of the gasses, they will need to be drained periodically of all the oil, fuel and other contaminants.

Read more: What questions do not have enough information to be answered on WikiAnswers

 

The catch can seems to be one of the first mods most people are doing these days. It is on my to do list. Billet seems like the preferred choice. Just gotta find the money on of these months.

 

Finally got mine installed on the Challey