Catch Can Design

[johnovision27]

Been browsing the threads all night and can't seem to find an answer to by question here.
WRT catch cans, which design performs better? I'm not talking about the layout, or line routing, I've read a dozen of those articles (yes, including the tech ones on PCV operation).

I've seen some with the inlet and outlet both located on the top of the can,

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and others on the side one above another.

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(Top outlet, botton inlet? I haven't the slightest clue!)

Does one breathe better then the other? If so, whats the ideal design for a catch can?


In the end, I'm planning a catch can setup, haven't decided single or dual yet... (Is 2 really necessary?)

Cheers

 

[agarc023]

I can't really help you with those questions but I just wanted to suggest getting a properly designed one from the author of the pcv article itself

Filtered Catch Cans - DSM Classifieds

 

[johnovision27]

haha. I came across those numerous times in my searches. Very fancy and popular! Sadly, they're a little out of my budget seeing as I own a DSM and am trying to pay off student loans.

 

[johnovision27]

Also, could the bottom one also act as a replacement overflow reservoir for coolant?

 

[Gostlrs]

That second one I would never use...If you used the bottom one for your input you can onlu fill it up part of the way. If you use the top one the oil will just drip straight down & go back in. Terrible design..

I have personally liked the Prosport one. I will get it soon enough myself

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http://prosportgauges.com/carbon-fiber-oil-catch-can.aspx

 

[4Lurker4]

The first one will work. I have a similar one, you will need to teflon tape the fittings and the level to keep it leak proof though (mine leaked anyway). Also add a fine metal mesh inside to catch the oil to make it work better.

Essentially the oil needs to be able to deposit before it goes back into the intake tract (if you're not venting it). Anything having a top feed and top exit will make it harder for the oil to go back up (since oil is heavier) which in turn makes the design better, the metal mesh will help capture the oil as it passes through.

 

[Calan]

It doesn't really matter one way or the other (as long as your above the reservoir level), since those cans do very little in the way of removing anything smaller than droplet-sized suspended liquids. And if you are pushing liquid oil out of your valve cover breather, you have a problem that's bigger than adding a catch can will solve.

Most of what accumulates in your intake is sub-micron sized particles and suspended aerosols that condense out of the blowby gases in the relatively cool intake plumbing. Those types of cans will catch some of the nasties, but a large percentage of it will go right through them and into your intake.

 

[Frickadella]

The bottom design makes no sense. The only way it would work properly is if you installed it laying on it's side with the nipples pointing up. But then the oil level check wasn't designed for that, was it. I'd avoid that design; as soon as oil reached the height of the bottom nipple (which looks lower than the visual level check), the manifold vacuum would have to be pulling air through the oil. In fact, I could imagine the oil remaining up in your line between the PCV and the can inlet due to fluid leveling.