Oil Catch Can
05-05-2009, 09:59 PM
#1
Racer
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Oil Catch Can
I installed a oil catch can last week in my 04-Z06 and "tried" it out last Friday at Thunderhill. It catches oil for sure and I should probably have checked it after each run.
After my third 20 minute section did I find that a small amount of motor oil had been running out of the air filter, wondered if anyone else has seen this ? (could not find oil anywhere else)
The catch can was roughly half full when I checked it and it could have been even more oil in it during the track time, if so could the oil have been pushed out of the can and end up in the air filter (Have an aftermarket Blackwing air filter !)
/Hakan
After my third 20 minute section did I find that a small amount of motor oil had been running out of the air filter, wondered if anyone else has seen this ? (could not find oil anywhere else)
The catch can was roughly half full when I checked it and it could have been even more oil in it during the track time, if so could the oil have been pushed out of the can and end up in the air filter (Have an aftermarket Blackwing air filter !)
/Hakan
05-05-2009, 10:12 PM
#2
Is it plumbed into your valley cover/pcv or pass. valve cover vent?
I have two can's (one for each) and noticed that the pcv routed one always gets a little oil and the valve cover one gets nothing. That being said, the can that has oil in it is minimal yet the intake is all wet with oil. I have not run the car on the track since I went from the original driver's side valve cover pcv to the Z06 style valley cover. With the old setup, even on track, I got minimal oil in the can itself.
I have two can's (one for each) and noticed that the pcv routed one always gets a little oil and the valve cover one gets nothing. That being said, the can that has oil in it is minimal yet the intake is all wet with oil. I have not run the car on the track since I went from the original driver's side valve cover pcv to the Z06 style valley cover. With the old setup, even on track, I got minimal oil in the can itself.
05-06-2009, 12:43 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
I posted my thoughts in the norcal section, but I have had the same problem before. My 1st track day I probably lost a quart of oil through my air filter 
. Basically (IMO) don't overfill your oil before going to the track or it will just end up in you air intake. Also check the catch can between each session. You also might want make sure you have the hoses routed to the correct locations on the CC 
.
. Basically (IMO) don't overfill your oil before going to the track or it will just end up in you air intake. Also check the catch can between each session. You also might want make sure you have the hoses routed to the correct locations on the CC .
05-06-2009, 03:31 PM
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05-06-2009, 06:56 PM
#6
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Will make sure it's not "overfilled" in any form for next track day and check the level in the catch "cup" after each 20 min session.
Will start looking into dry sump or accusump as well.
Thx for input / Hakan
Will start looking into dry sump or accusump as well.
Thx for input / Hakan
05-06-2009, 09:47 PM
#7
Team Owner
Just put mine in and will have to somehow remind myself to check it after every session.
05-07-2009, 10:45 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
I was adding extra oil and getting quite a bit of oil in my catch can. I'm going to try a little less oil and see if that makes a difference.
Never had any come out the airfilter though.
05-08-2009, 05:46 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
05-08-2009, 10:45 AM
#11
Racer
my 1st 01 had a lot of ring blow by, especially if you were flogging it at the track. the can would catch a lot. my current 01 doesn't use, or blow by much oil. I did 3 days at CMP and there's barely any in my can. I had just emptied before I left.
05-08-2009, 03:25 PM
#12
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Not sure whether the catch can really helps. I never had one on my 97 and don't have one on my 03Z. With both cars I ran a quart over in the pan and used about a half quart per day when at the track. Both cars ran fine and I have no/never had performance problems. On either car the only oil I ever had on the rear fascia is when the power steering let loose. When the pump seal on the 97 blew the fascia was actually wet with oil.
Bill
Bill
05-08-2009, 08:01 PM
#13
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I've said it before (I think!), and I'll say it again: Smith Brothers pushrods with oil restrictors are worth looking into here. My LS2 402 stroker was notorious for puking oil out the top end, and I'd have to drain my catch can (a highly stylish Prestone can!) after every couple of sessions.
These engines tend to pool a lot of oil up in the heads when running at sustained high RPMs. In addition to having the problem of puking out a lot of oil into catch-cans, you can run into oil starvation during G-loading as the pickup tube has less oil in the pan to draw from.
During a rebuild last year, I went to the Smith Brothers pushrods, which are specifically designed to combat this problem. Voila! No more large volume of oil in the catch-can, and no more "Low Oil Pressure" warnings. The pushrods obviously prevent as much oil from getting up into the heads in a given amount of time, so that you don't get that pooling problem. Now I run a much smaller (but equally stylish) Mobil1 quart bottle as my catch can, and get maybe a few teaspoons in a weekend.
Fred
These engines tend to pool a lot of oil up in the heads when running at sustained high RPMs. In addition to having the problem of puking out a lot of oil into catch-cans, you can run into oil starvation during G-loading as the pickup tube has less oil in the pan to draw from.
During a rebuild last year, I went to the Smith Brothers pushrods, which are specifically designed to combat this problem. Voila! No more large volume of oil in the catch-can, and no more "Low Oil Pressure" warnings. The pushrods obviously prevent as much oil from getting up into the heads in a given amount of time, so that you don't get that pooling problem. Now I run a much smaller (but equally stylish) Mobil1 quart bottle as my catch can, and get maybe a few teaspoons in a weekend.
Fred
05-10-2009, 01:43 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
05-11-2009, 09:40 PM
#15
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Thx All for feedback, will check the catch can next time and ensure i have not overfilled oil (still want to ensure I have oil in the engine :-) . Seems as high rpm and tight turns makes it worse for some people.
/Hakan
/Hakan
05-12-2009, 04:29 AM
#17
Melting Slicks
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I've said it before (I think!), and I'll say it again: Smith Brothers pushrods with oil restrictors are worth looking into here. My LS2 402 stroker was notorious for puking oil out the top end, and I'd have to drain my catch can (a highly stylish Prestone can!) after every couple of sessions.
These engines tend to pool a lot of oil up in the heads when running at sustained high RPMs. In addition to having the problem of puking out a lot of oil into catch-cans, you can run into oil starvation during G-loading as the pickup tube has less oil in the pan to draw from.
During a rebuild last year, I went to the Smith Brothers pushrods, which are specifically designed to combat this problem. Voila! No more large volume of oil in the catch-can, and no more "Low Oil Pressure" warnings. The pushrods obviously prevent as much oil from getting up into the heads in a given amount of time, so that you don't get that pooling problem. Now I run a much smaller (but equally stylish) Mobil1 quart bottle as my catch can, and get maybe a few teaspoons in a weekend.
Fred
These engines tend to pool a lot of oil up in the heads when running at sustained high RPMs. In addition to having the problem of puking out a lot of oil into catch-cans, you can run into oil starvation during G-loading as the pickup tube has less oil in the pan to draw from.
During a rebuild last year, I went to the Smith Brothers pushrods, which are specifically designed to combat this problem. Voila! No more large volume of oil in the catch-can, and no more "Low Oil Pressure" warnings. The pushrods obviously prevent as much oil from getting up into the heads in a given amount of time, so that you don't get that pooling problem. Now I run a much smaller (but equally stylish) Mobil1 quart bottle as my catch can, and get maybe a few teaspoons in a weekend.
Fred
Fred is correct. The Smith Brothers oil restricting pushrods are worth the cost. Also, while you are ordering them, get the 5/16 x 0.120 inch wall models. They will stiffen the valve train.
Another thing, one catch can is not enough. You need two!
They both catch oil. The can attached to the valve cover nipple needs to have its inlet higher than the nipple on the valve cover to prevent synphoning.
Finally, a GM FACTORY SERVICE TECHNICAN who roadraces stated to me that if you have a C5 with a stock oil pan /pump, you must add the extra quart of oil to the crankcase when autocrossing or roadracing.
Last edited by Pumba; 05-12-2009 at 09:38 AM.
05-12-2009, 07:50 AM
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Pumba,
You have a very neat looking set up. Though efficient, mine is rather bulky and noticable. What is the name of the canisters you use (like what are they normally used for) and I take it your small diameter hose is suffcient. I would like to convert my system to something like yours.
Thanks.
You have a very neat looking set up. Though efficient, mine is rather bulky and noticable. What is the name of the canisters you use (like what are they normally used for) and I take it your small diameter hose is suffcient. I would like to convert my system to something like yours.
Thanks.
05-12-2009, 09:34 AM
#20
Melting Slicks
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Pumba,
You have a very neat looking set up. Though efficient, mine is rather bulky and noticable. What is the name of the canisters you use (like what are they normally used for) and I take it your small diameter hose is suffcient. I would like to convert my system to something like yours.
Thanks.
You have a very neat looking set up. Though efficient, mine is rather bulky and noticable. What is the name of the canisters you use (like what are they normally used for) and I take it your small diameter hose is suffcient. I would like to convert my system to something like yours.
Thanks.
Paul,
I purchased my catch cans from Accurate Machine Works - http://www.accmachtech.com/catchcans.asp. When I realized that I needed a second catch can, I convinced them to make me a bracket to hold both of them. If you look, you can see it in the photos.
The 3/8 inch hoses work very well.