FYI: My $50 Baffled Oil Catch Can

Zroman610 · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 03:30:17 AM

So glad I came across this. I've been searching different brands all being ~$200. Looks super clean and great info regarding setup!

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VinceSE2 · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 07:32:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kippers4brkfast

Yours looks great, I like how its tucked nicely in there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr M3an M3

Looks great. I love how recessed this is. You can definitely still fit the SMG pump in there too.

Thanks guys, that’s certainly the result I was shooting for.

I forgot to mention that I also wanted to avoid having the hoses cross through the bin as I doubt that BMW would do it that way. Having the hoses tucked against the wall, and hidden under the cabin filter tray looks much more factory.

In fact most BMW enthusiasts don’t even notice the can until I point it out.

Also, this placement should be easy with the low cost can that the OP of this thread is using.

Perhaps even sitting with it’s bungs out through holes in the rubber thingy (the u-clamp moved forward to be centred to that opening into the engine bay)?

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CharlaybitM3 · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 01:40:12 PM

Some constructive criticism if you want it... The can would separate dirty oil vapour and whatnot about 100x better if you put some super course stainless fibres of some sort in it. Don't pack it super tight but the vapours need surface area to condense onto. Straight from ebay you just have can walls for surface area. Also if you can rig up a pipe on the inlet side to run ~1/2 to 2/3 of the way down to the bottom of the can it would keep said vapours path away from your outlet to vacuum as much as possible therefore increasing the time they have to condense and not make it back into your airbox. GL

Dr M3an M3 · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 07:22:21 PM

Cross posting because I think this thread will generate more discussion on this compared to where it was originally posted:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obioban

GM's chief powertrain engineer on why no catch cans:

Quote:

To answer the second question first: No, the 2017 Corvette LT1 will not have the Camaro V8 PCV air/oil separator (what the questioner calls a "catch can") added to its oil management system. For those not familiar with the abbreviation PCV, it stands for "positive crankcase ventilation"

Even though the Corvette and Camaro share the LT1, they are very different in execution detail. The LT1 in the Corvette sits lower and very close to the ground to enable an industry-leading low profile hood and good sight lines despite a very low seated position. Having the engine close to the ground is great for keeping the vehicle's center of gravity down, but means the oil pan is relatively shallow. Having little depth in the oil pan means it is very challenging to scavenge oil in high G loading conditions. For this reason we add dry sump lubrication to our high performance models. The Camaro's higher engine position allows for a deeper oil pan and a reliable configuration for picking up oil for delivery to all parts of the engine. Thus the Camaro is able to avoid the cost and mass of the dry sump tank and resulting complexity of the lube system.

The Corvette's dry sump tank looks relatively simple on the outside but the internals are really quite complex. The top third of the tank contains a PCV air/oil separation system. On the Corvette, PCV lines route from the valve covers to the air/oil separator on top of our dry sump tank. Oil from PCV air is separated and returned to the lube system through the oil tank. The PCV separation system on Camaro V8 performs a similar function except oil is returned to the engine oil pan from the PCV separator's drain back tube. The Camaro V8 PCV air/oil separator is more complex than a "catch-can" since it not only separates oil from PCV air it provides a drain back path for this oil to be reused by the lube system. "Catch-can" systems that do not have a drain back path for separated oil run the risk of poor oil pressure performance over time as oil is removed from the lube system.

The bottom line is that both cars use optimized engineering solutions for their lube systems based on vehicle architectural considerations.

^the s54's stock system is like that of the Camaro above.

I have no desire for a catch can. The stuff people are draining is re-condensed oil vapor (which I want, as that reclaimed engine oil) and re-condensed water vapor-- which burns off when it is in your oil, assuming you get your car fully up to operating temp.

Catch cans all look clunky to me (Vince's looks the least clunky), add weight/complexity, require more upkeep, and I don't see a benefit over the factory oil separator.

TboneM3 · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 08:30:12 PM

In my case, I don't care about how much it does or doesn't do really because

-It was $100 cheaper to do my catch can than to buy the CSL PVC lines from ECS (best price)
-I like to mod my car, I got to fab up a brace which is fun (to me at least)
-it looks cool to me
-my airbox should get less grime in it

I wouldn't have spent $300. For others, maybe a can isn't worth it no matter how cheap it is.

Dr M3an M3 · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 08:33:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TboneM3

In my case, I don't care about how much it does or doesn't do really because

-It was $100 cheaper to do my catch can than to buy the CSL PVC lines from ECS (best price)
-I like to mod my car, I got to fab up a brace which is fun (to me at least)
-it looks cool to me
-my airbox should get less grime in it

I wouldn't have spent $300. For others, maybe a can isn't worth it no matter how cheap it is.

I've never pulled my sock airbox off. Did you notice any grime in your stock airbox?

CrookedCommie · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 08:36:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr M3an M3

I've never pulled my sock airbox off. Did you notice any grime in your stock airbox?

There's a reason the stock airbox has a return hose to the oil pan.

**Obioban** · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 09:17:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrookedCommie

There's a reason the stock airbox has a return hose to the oil pan.

The csl airbox also has that.

**terraphantm** · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 09:27:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TboneM3

In my case, I don't care about how much it does or doesn't do really because

-It was $100 cheaper to do my catch can than to buy the CSL PVC lines from ECS (best price)
-I like to mod my car, I got to fab up a brace which is fun (to me at least)
-it looks cool to me
-my airbox should get less grime in it

I wouldn't have spent $300. For others, maybe a can isn't worth it no matter how cheap it is.

CSL PVC lines? Only part I can think of that you need to buy is 11157833649, and that's $25

delvin · Tue, Nov-14-2017, 09:31:37 PM

IMO this is the best catch can on the market. I've run 16lbsof boost (centri on a pushrod 5.0) and have zero trace of oil in the intake track. This is with hoses straight off the vc's into the can and the vacuum is pulled from about 6" before the blower inlet. Stays dry as a bone.

http://www.jcsautomation.com/vs%20catch%20cans.html

Just thought I'd add another option for anyone looking

Tue, Nov-14-2017, 03:30:17 AM	#31
Zroman610 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 90 Reputation: 0	Re: My $50 Baffled Oil Catch Can So glad I came across this. I've been searching different brands all being ~$200. Looks super clean and great info regarding setup! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tue, Nov-14-2017, 08:30:12 PM	#35
TboneM3 YNWA Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6,647 In the garage: '04 BMW M3 E46 Reputation: 0 Location: Socal	Re: My $50 Baffled Oil Catch Can In my case, I don't care about how much it does or doesn't do really because -It was $100 cheaper to do my catch can than to buy the CSL PVC lines from ECS (best price) -I like to mod my car, I got to fab up a brace which is fun (to me at least) -it looks cool to me -my airbox should get less grime in it I wouldn't have spent $300. For others, maybe a can isn't worth it no matter how cheap it is. __________________ /// 2004 SilberGrau M3 · Coupe · 6MT · slicktop · manual seats · no nav______________________JOURNAL -Evolve-R Alpha N · Evolve CSL CF Airbox · Eventuri Scoop · AP Headers · Euro cat sect 1 · Dinan sect 3 · BMW Motorsport 4.10 · Besian · D/A pullies/fan delete · WPC rod bearings -TMS Camber & Subf plates · RE Street Trans Mounts · AKG poly SUB/DIFF · SDW RTAB · ZHP knob + UUC DSSR · GroundControl S/A (Koni/Eibach 440/550) + tall RSMs -OE CSL trunk · APEX 75mm Studs · Sportline 8S 18"x8.5/9.5" · MPSS 245/275 · ss brake/clutch lines -Pioneer DEH-80PRS · Eclipse PA5422 · CDT HD-6 + WS-100i · CDT EX-530 · 8" Kicker DD/Beater: 1999 Civic LX - Kenwood x998 · PPI 1600.4 · CDT HD-6 + HD-100 · CDT EX-530 · Clarion 10"

Tue, Nov-14-2017, 09:31:37 PM	#40
delvin Water Champion Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 573 Reputation: 0 Location: FT. Worth	Re: My $50 Baffled Oil Catch Can IMO this is the best catch can on the market. I've run 16lbsof boost (centri on a pushrod 5.0) and have zero trace of oil in the intake track. This is with hoses straight off the vc's into the can and the vacuum is pulled from about 6" before the blower inlet. Stays dry as a bone. http://www.jcsautomation.com/vs%20catch%20cans.html Just thought I'd add another option for anyone looking

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