When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I was at a Corvette car show this weekend. A guy was talking about an oil catch can we installed on his C5 and his C6. Looked on Amazon and say lots of catch cans. Which one to buy, and how do you mount the device in the engine compartment?
I have one from here https://www.saikoumichi.com/ the have explanations and pictures. Several threads about this recently with more info.
For what a catch can does, I cannot see spending more than $30-to-$50.00 for one. I am not racing or competitive driving. So, inexpensive is the word of the day here.
For what a catch can does, I cannot see spending more than $30-to-$50.00 for one. I am not racing or competitive driving. So, inexpensive is the word of the day here.
I used to think the same thing. But you do get what you pay for.
I have had Elite Engineering catch cans in the past and they are good.
But Might Mouse is the way to go. Not cheap but they are top quality and have multiple mounting solutions. I also like that the MM catch can will replace your PCV valve of your engine. It works very well, better than the stock system which prevents oil in the intake.
For street driving, not racing, autocross, or other competition driving, these cans are mostly made of nicely machined anodized aluminum, and they all collect oil. Don't see where hundreds of dollars on such a device is worthwhile for my specific needs. I am curious as to where and how to mount these devices of whatever level?
Easy and effective way to plumb your LS2 with the wet sump oil system is shown below:
This will pull dirty crankcase gasses / fumes from the valley cover (through a metered orifice built into the valley cover nipple) and route it into the inlet of your catch can. These fumes will be cleaned of oil by the catch can, The gasses will then be routed to your intake in back of the throttle body (this is a vacuum port) ... Because you are pulling air (crankcase fumes) out of the crankcase, you will need a way to replace that air. That is the purpose of the tube going from the rubber bellows (just in front of the throttle body) to the passengers side valve cover. This filtered clean air then replaces the oily dirty air that was pulled out of the crankcase by way of that valley cover nipple.
Really a very simple but effective system ... and if you have a good quality catch can, you won't be pulling all that dirty oil into your intake manifold anymore.
Last edited by Turbo6TA; Jul 18, 2023 at 04:07 PM.
Easy and effective way to plumb your LS2 with the wet sump oil system is shown below:
This will pull dirty crankcase gasses / fumes from the valley cover (through a metered orifice built into the valley cover nipple) and route it into the inlet of your catch can. These fumes will be cleaned of oil by the catch can, The gasses will then be routed to your intake in back of the throttle body (this is a vacuum port) ... Because you are pulling air (crankcase fumes) out of the crankcase, you will need a way to replace that air. That is the purpose of the tube going from the rubber bellows (just in front of the throttle body) to the passengers side valve cover. This filtered clean air then replaces the oily dirty air that was pulled out of the crankcase by way of that valley cover nipple.
Really a very simple but effective system ... and if you have a good quality catch can, you won't be pulling all that dirty oil into your intake manifold anymore.
Thanks for the clear the concise explanation and illustration. It now makes since how to do the plumbing. Aside from quality hoses, what makes a "Quality" and economical catch can? I am looking at the Amazon offerings, all under $50 dollars. For example:
I don't see any use for this unless you have a lot of blow by. Won't hurt anything, but no advantage on a well running street car.
My car runs well. However, I understand that there can be some amount of oil that gets into the intake and into the combustion chamber. For what I plan to spend for a catch can ($50 or less), it seems like a benefit. Just found this one for my 06 Coupe with an LS2 engine.
I don't see any use for this unless you have a lot of blow by. Won't hurt anything, but no advantage on a well running street car.
Have you ever removed your throttle body and looked inside your intake manifold ... you will see lots of oil laying in the bottom of it.
All these LS engines have that problem. A catch can can alleviate most of it.
In my case, I have a Magnuson (PD) supercharger installed on my engine. I don't want all that oil getting down in the supercharger and gunking up the rotors.
___________________________
True .. If you have a worn out engine with lots and lots of miles, or maybe a cracked piston ring land causing excessive blow-by, a catch can won't fix anything. Most of our engines don't fall in this category.
___________________________
My catch can:
Last edited by Turbo6TA; Jul 19, 2023 at 04:14 PM.
My car runs well. However, I understand that there can be some amount of oil that gets into the intake and into the combustion chamber. For what I plan to spend for a catch can ($50 or less), it seems like a benefit. Just found this one for my 06 Coupe with an LS2 engine.
If you are only willing to spend $50 or less, just don't even bother. Any can that is $50 or less will be a piece of junk that is likely cause more problems than just staying stock.
There is a reason why people who know recommend Mighty Mouse; we've been down the cheap road before and you end up spending more in the end than if you had just paid more for a quality part in the first place.
If you are only willing to spend $50 or less, just don't even bother. Any can that is $50 or less will be a piece of junk that is likely cause more problems than just staying stock.
There is a reason why people who know recommend Mighty Mouse; we've been down the cheap road before and you end up spending more in the end than if you had just paid more for a quality part in the first place.
It's a can that collects oil and uses rubber lines. I have not heard or seen how a $200 can does something that the $50 can cannot do. If the $50 dollar machined aluminum can melts or something, then maybe I will look at a more expensive option. My car is a street car, not a race car. Don't need race / aerospace quality gear.
Have you ever removed your throttle body and looked inside your intake manifold ... you will see lots of oil laying in the bottom of it.
All these LS engines have that problem. A catch can can alleviate most of it
Did you miss the part about a good running street car?
If you must get one, be sure to get a red one. It will add at least 15hp. A black one (same model/brand, just black color) will only add 10hp.
And stainless steel braid hoses(adds even more hp than even a red hose), special hose clamps, etc. to get the maximum hp gain.
And mount it in the most conspicous place posible so it really stands out when you open your hood, to get another 2-3hp.
Oil Catch Can Question
