oil catch cans
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 752
Likes: 47
From: Clearfield Utah
oil catch cans
Are the catch cans needed? What are the pro and cons of using them? Any recommended models/makers or additional information that may help someone make an informed decision.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 1,003
From: North Texas
There was a very detailed engineering explanation why adding a catch can was not a good idea unless you did all the needed engineering and modifications the keep the vacuum inside the crank case the same.
A lot of restrictions in the vacuum flow due to all the extra hoses and canister.
The article was posted here in CF, lots of technical details. Try to look it up.
Basically the manufactures of catch cans would have to make hundreds of different models with associate PCV parts for all the different models and set ups to maintain proper scavenging of the crank case. Way too expensive so one size fits all?!!!
Thats why I took my catch can off, can't argue with the math.
A lot of restrictions in the vacuum flow due to all the extra hoses and canister.
The article was posted here in CF, lots of technical details. Try to look it up.
Basically the manufactures of catch cans would have to make hundreds of different models with associate PCV parts for all the different models and set ups to maintain proper scavenging of the crank case. Way too expensive so one size fits all?!!!
Thats why I took my catch can off, can't argue with the math.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 952
Likes: 440
From: FL
Cars haven't needed them for 60+ years......... Whatever gets in the intake as the pic posted, is designed to be that way. I have never seen a documented case where an engine catch can saved an engine from anything. You can't quantify effect unless you have accurate data on each end & a control.
With that said I do have one. I got it cheap used & it looks good.
With that said I do have one. I got it cheap used & it looks good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 1,003
From: North Texas
I guess I don't have to kill myself because I do have a catch can.
Only its in my storage cabinet!
Try and find and read the technical article here in CF.
Then you might also put your catch can in your cabinet like I did and don't need to die.............
Only its in my storage cabinet!
Try and find and read the technical article here in CF.
Then you might also put your catch can in your cabinet like I did and don't need to die.............
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Safety Car
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From: Orange County Ca
Racer
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From: Florida
can you link the article ?
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I had one on my C5s and have one on my current C7. Mine is from Elite Engineering. Is it necessary, perhaps not but it does catch some oil that would otherwise go into the intake. I bought mine used and at a good price so for now I will continue to use it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 1,003
From: North Texas
Its posted here in CF forums.
You need to search for a while.
Discussion started out just like this one and the arguments started. Finally someone with a mechanical background (ME) went into great detail what is involved and why.
I could not find any part of his post that I found to be incorrect. ie: he knows what he was talking about.
If I were you I'd try really hard to find and read his reply to this question.
You need to search for a while.
Discussion started out just like this one and the arguments started. Finally someone with a mechanical background (ME) went into great detail what is involved and why.
I could not find any part of his post that I found to be incorrect. ie: he knows what he was talking about.
If I were you I'd try really hard to find and read his reply to this question.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 731
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Here is a link to that discussion (one of the main ones). I had purchased an Elite catch can and installed it. Yes, I had caught a small amount of oil which made me feel good about the purchase. But I subsequently removed it after doing more research about the negative effects I could introduce by adding something to a deliberately designed system. For reference my car is a stock 2016 Z51 so it has the dry sump which is discussed in the thread.
The addition of a forced induction system would require a different discussion and set of testing parameters depending on the application.
The addition of a forced induction system would require a different discussion and set of testing parameters depending on the application.
Last edited by Flattman; Feb 19, 2025 at 04:58 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 259
Likes: 86
From: Brighton MI
Everybody gets to make their own decision for their vehicles. I have installed J&L catch cans on 3 different vehicles & they all will have about 1/8 inch of fluid in the can after 1 year when I empty them (as part of oil change procedure).
As said, to each their own.
Best wishes to all.
As said, to each their own.
Best wishes to all.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,008
From: Texas
....there are literally millions of Gen V engines running around in everything from cars to trucks without catch cans without issue.
If this is a track day or full time race car....different conversation.
If this is a track day or full time race car....different conversation.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 362
Likes: 88
I have a built LS2..NA...530 rwhp....1998 TA M6.
Engine builder installed a catch can.
And a 2016 Z06 A8 LT4 416 stroker...1000 rwhp...with 2650 Maggie, meth & catch can.
Different engine builders, that believe in catch cans.
My stock engines do not have a catch can.
YMMV.
Engine builder installed a catch can.
And a 2016 Z06 A8 LT4 416 stroker...1000 rwhp...with 2650 Maggie, meth & catch can.
Different engine builders, that believe in catch cans.
My stock engines do not have a catch can.
YMMV.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Everybody gets to make their own decision for their vehicles. I have installed J&L catch cans on 3 different vehicles & they all will have about 1/8 inch of fluid in the can after 1 year when I empty them (as part of oil change procedure).
As said, to each their own.
Best wishes to all.
As said, to each their own.
Best wishes to all.
1/8" after 500 miles would be excessive, but a 5k, it would be insignificant.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 1,003
From: North Texas
Really, spend the time to read the article, if you can find it.
In a nutshell:
The addition of a catch can with no modifications to the vacuum system to maintain the proper flow of vapor resulted in slower vapor flow and lower crank case pressure thus creating larger oil molecules which would then be caught in a catch can, thats what you are seeing, and filter media inside the can added to this sisutation. So you would have to modify the system to maintain the correct vapor flow and crank case pressure and molecule size.
If all this was properly done I suspect you would not see any abnormal amount of oil in the catch can making it irrelevant.
Way too much R&D and testing, not to mention $$$ to achieve the desired results. If it was simple, cheap and needed all cars would have them.
Some extremely high performance super cars do have them but they are engineered and developed to operate properly maintaining proper crank case pressure and vapor flow.
Peace.
In a nutshell:
The addition of a catch can with no modifications to the vacuum system to maintain the proper flow of vapor resulted in slower vapor flow and lower crank case pressure thus creating larger oil molecules which would then be caught in a catch can, thats what you are seeing, and filter media inside the can added to this sisutation. So you would have to modify the system to maintain the correct vapor flow and crank case pressure and molecule size.
If all this was properly done I suspect you would not see any abnormal amount of oil in the catch can making it irrelevant.
Way too much R&D and testing, not to mention $$$ to achieve the desired results. If it was simple, cheap and needed all cars would have them.
Some extremely high performance super cars do have them but they are engineered and developed to operate properly maintaining proper crank case pressure and vapor flow.
Peace.