An oil catch can, or the PCV oil catch can as I like to call it, is meant to trap oil vapors from getting into the intake manifold via the PCV and/or breather systems. The LSx engines are prone to oil contamination into the intake manifold even on stock vehicles. On most cars this is not a huge quatity of oil, but even small amounts can contribute to carbon build up in the combustion chambers which can cause pre-ignition and power loss.
On supercharged vehicles it becomes more of an issue due to the potentially higher crankcase pressures getting past the rings and even the PCV check valves to a point.
I would not say it is mandatory, but a very good idea. I have a can manufactured for myself that I sell and also distribute to Custom Corvette Accessories, Thunder Racing, WS6 Store & Gulfcoast Performance as well as several local and national shops using them.
If I remember right, I also understand you are in the process of getting a supercharged package installed at Horsepower Sales in the near future. I handle their dyno tuning for them on their installs and look forward to working for you if that is the case.
Hope this helps and best to you.
Mike Norris
__________________ Mike Norris Motorsports 9402 Uptown Drive
Suite 1500
Indianapolis, IN 46256
407-616-2518
407-654-RACE (7223) FAX thevettedr@aol.com www.mikenorrismotorsports.com Your LSx Performance & Corvette Specialist Since 1999
An oil catch can, or the PCV oil catch can as I like to call it, is meant to trap oil vapors from getting into the intake manifold via the PCV and/or breather systems. The LSx engines are prone to oil contamination into the intake manifold even on stock vehicles. On most cars this is not a huge quatity of oil, but even small amounts can contribute to carbon build up in the combustion chambers which can cause pre-ignition and power loss.
On supercharged vehicles it becomes more of an issue due to the potentially higher crankcase pressures getting past the rings and even the PCV check valves to a point.
I would not say it is mandatory, but a very good idea. I have a can manufactured for myself that I sell and also distribute to Custom Corvette Accessories, Thunder Racing, WS6 Store & Gulfcoast Performance as well as several local and national shops using them.
If I remember right, I also understand you are in the process of getting a supercharged package installed at Horsepower Sales in the near future. I handle their dyno tuning for them on their installs and look forward to working for you if that is the case.
Hope this helps and best to you.
Mike Norris
What is the difference between the 2 catch cans? Just visual? Also is the picture shown for an LS2 engine? I can not mount it there since the Vortech supercharger is around that location.
I will get back with you after I talk with ECS this morning. Their kit comes with a catch can, so I'd like to know what it looks like before I buy another one.
I really like your Gen2+ with the same colors shown in the photo, silver can, blue/red fittings, black braid.
Yes I'm getting a supercharger installed at Horsepower Sales in Pompano, but do you travel down there to do tunes? If so then I'll definitely be meeting you there.
the cans are designed initially to be mounted on that head on an LSx engine, but the bracket is able to be raised & lowered and also can br reversed and spun 360* to make mounting in another location possible. A lot of folks with SC mount them either on an SC bracket bolt if possible or down by the radiator.
They have been used on all LS motors from 1997-2008 including the LS2, LS3 and LS7 as well as several SC applications. But I do not have pictures of where the customers have mounted them. It has also been used on WRX STi and the new GT500 Mustang.
The catch are all the same internally and in function. The original can with brass fittings is the low cost option. I decided to offer folks a couple options to make the unit a bit more of a "race application" look with the -6 AN fittings. Let me know what I can do for you.
Cool Rod,
I have not seen the ECS can so I can not comment. I have one at the shop now doing some upgrades but it does not have the can on the car.
Yes, I do travel to Horsepower Sales to do their tuning every 2-3 weeks and have been for the past 2-3 years as well as collaborating on different packagegs and testing for folks. I guess I will be seeing you soon and let me know if you need anything.
Mike Norris
__________________ Mike Norris Motorsports 9402 Uptown Drive
Suite 1500
Indianapolis, IN 46256
407-616-2518
407-654-RACE (7223) FAX thevettedr@aol.com www.mikenorrismotorsports.com Your LSx Performance & Corvette Specialist Since 1999
As someone else already stated, catch cans are usually used to "catch" extra oil that comes from oil that is trapped in the blow-by gases. Boosted engines tend to have more blow-by as do engines of higher horsepower (since blow-by is related to total engine airflow).
For street cars we don't normally use a catch can because then you have to worry about emptying it. We instead use an oil-air separator that is actually designed just for this purpose. It has a cyclonic airflow design that causes the large oil droplets to separate from the crankcase gases (because the oil is heavier than crankcase gases). It then also has a filter to cause the remaining suspended oil droplets to also drop out of the crankcase gases. A fitting at the bottom of the canister allows you to put a line from the oil-air separator back to your oil pan, scavenge pump or dipstick tube. If you don't want to return the oil, you can have this line go to a small tank that must be periodically inspected and emptied.
Here is a picture of the oil air separator (showing the internal filter as well):
You can see pictures of the oil air separator installed in a vehicle in our eBay store listing:
For 500-700 hp applications, one oil-air separator should be enough (unless you have a lot of blowby). For most 700 to 1200 hp applications we recommend two be used.
If you are returning the oil to above the oil level in the pan, then you need to have a check valve in the drain line (a special check valve is available from LPE).
We have mounting brackets available for the C5 and the C6 for single oil-air separator configurations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool Rod
Could someone tell me what an oil catch can is and what it's used for? Thanks.
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Lingenfelter Performance Engineering www.lingenfelter.com
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Supercharger Catch Can
