JerryU

Same issues exist with Ferrari, Porsche, BMW and others with Direct Injection (other cars as well but not as critical since gasoline with port injection helps clean the coking caused by blow-by coming from PCV system etc, creates.) In Europe many oil companies do sell truly “full synthetic” oil which is a help. In the US with the recent lawsuit, which Mobil lost, the marketing words “full synthetic” fits some blends as well-who knows what Mobil 1 is currently!
Catch cans work if you’re willing to check and clean periodically (every ~1000 miles etc.). Most car owners would not want to, care to or want to know how! It’s just that extra help some of us care to install.

Motohead279

It's not a necessity but just an extra precaution, especially on Z51 cars if you overfill the oil. It helps collect any vapor with oil and collects it in the can.

It's more critical on boosted cars but an extra safeguard on all cars.

thedofuss

Jerry, thanks much. it sounds to me, though, that given the size of the can (reservoir), and how much mileage most of us put on our cars, that we could just install it, never empty it, and still not have it overflow. is that not the case?

JerryU

I can't speak to that yet, as I am just in the process of getting and installing. My understanding is it would require more frequent maintenance than say an oil change. It will depend on the way you drive as well.

KenHorse

I'll be checking mine tomorrow - I have around 300 miles on the catch can

Motohead279

For non boosted cars checking it every oil change would be more than enough.

time2run

Ken- if you can, check the upper part of the canister. I think there is a stainless steel mesh that is in a smaller canister that can be unscrewed to clean the mesh. Seems to me the mesh would have to be cleaned periodically for maximum effectiveness.

I'll check mine tomorrow as well.

DocHolliday

Sweet, thanks. I just ordered mine with the oil filler cap. >$300 for the piece of mind is worth it to me. Thanks guys!

Premmer

A couple more questions about your catch can install:
Did you disconnect the battery before removing the ground cable tie-down bolt for mounting the can support bracket?
How did you go about removing the covers to gain access to the connection ports?

Thanks

KenHorse

Didn't disconnect the battery, nope (no sparking noted either)
The fuel rail covers pop right off. Once they're off, you can remove 4 10 mm bolts that hold down the plenum cover. There's no need to actually remove it as all you need do is lift it out of the way to get to the nipples you need

KenHorse

Well.. I removed the bottom of the catch can and had very little oil in it. I'd guesstimate a couple of teaspoon's worth.

I didn't remove the mesh because I think the can has to be unmounted to get at it.

Premmer

Last question for sure; did you order your CC with the single check valve feature ? If so, did you not use the OEM check valve in the U Tube Assembly?

Just to be on the safe side, plan to remove anodizing on catch can support bracket in areas that contact lower mounting surface and mounting bolt flange; that ground cable size looks like it sinks a fair amount of current.

Motohead279

I have probably 1500 miles on my car which is boosted. I drained mine today and this is what I collected.

KenHorse

I wasn't aware there was an option for the check valve type. I ordered whichever comes for the $159 price

As for the mounting/grounding, a star washer will take care of that...

JerryU

My Elite is coming with just an inlet and outlet as you used with the lines going to and from the can replacing the short OEM line. Looking at the Rx install with two outlets, it looks like for the 2nd outlet you would use a check valve. The reservoir cap I also ordered goes from the cap to baffles in the front of the air box replacing the OEM line, so also assume no benefit of a check valve there.

Premmer

Elite offers an optional elbow hose fitting with a built-in check valve for ~$25. I prefer to use it rather than the OEM one in the removed U Tube Assembly. Read enough about sticking PCV valves on C7s that its worth the additional cost to me.

JerryU

Was unaware of any issues with the C7 PCV valve. Will have to consider.

gthal

OK... some educate me on this

If you install the Elite catch can without the OEM hose and check valve (which is no longer used) is this a bad thing? What does the check valve really do? Can you simply buy Elite's version and use that?

I was about to install my can and now I'm waiting until someone who knows more than me can clarify.

Premmer

You might want to Google it and make your own decision as to whether it's important to you on a NA engine. I'm not ready to just blow off the use of a check valve on my NA setup.

gthal

I apologize, my question wasn't clear... well, let's say I did a horrible job of wording it.

What I meant to say was whether the check valve is needed on the C7. Elite Engineering doesn't seem to make a big deal of it relative to their catch cans so I'm more wondering whether it is a big deal on this car. I'm going to connect with them and get their thoughts.

Also, last night I checked my intake for any signs of oil and it was bone dry and completely clean. 1,500 miles on the car.

I still plan to use the catch can once I can clarify the check valve issue.