Proper catchcan installation...

[Thower]

Hello, I have a RRE catchcan, one nipple on each side, breather filter on top, and a drain spout at the bottom. My question is;
I know it is supposed to go in between the vacuum line from the valve cover to the intake, but I have heard of some people just capping off the one nipple that would go to the intake and just using it as a breather filter.
Any advice on the correct setup/installation of one of these? Is it necessary to vent the air back to the intake? I thought the point was to release the excess pressure in the valve cover?
Thanks guys!

 

[No_Skillz]

The point of the catchcan is to catch any oil that would otherwise blow into your intake tract.

The point of the stock VC circulation system is to constantly circulate air through your crank case to draw out fumes that would otherwise contaminate your oil. You should not have any excess pressure in the crank case which your stock breather setup cannot handle.

The problem of using it as a breather filter is that you lose the circulation and your motor will be drawing in excess air during all vacuum conditions (idle and partial throttle) through the PCV.

The best way to install this is to seal off the catchcan and attach the hoses similar to stock. I used to use the RRE catchcan, but it was too cumbersome and of poor design. I upgraded to an air compressor filter.

 

[Thower]

so you suggest I set it up as originally intended, and reroute the vacuum line to the intake after the catchcan?

 

[No_Skillz]

so you suggest I set it up as originally intended, and reroute the vacuum line to the intake after the catchcan?

Yes. Make sure to seal off the vent.

 

[1992awdlaser]

The easiest way is to, hook up both lines off the valve cover to it and have a filter on top. This will let any pressure out of the crank case while catching all the oil. If you do it this way, either delete the pcv valve or drill it out. Also, make sure to block off where the pcv went to the intake manifold and where the side of the valve cover went to the intake pipe.

 

[Boosted98gsx]

Proper catchcan installation would be a catchcan setup that produced a vacuum in your crankcase.

IE, -12 AN going from pre-turbo intake pipe to catchcan, -10 going from catchcan to valve cover (in 2 locations)

 

[El Cuervo]

No_Skillz, where did you buy yout compressor filter and could you please post a picture of it? I've seen many but don't really know which one is best.
Thank you very much.

 

[No_Skillz]

They are sold at Home Depot or Loews where the accessories for air compressors are. You might need to buy fittings seperately.

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This picture does not have the fittings on, but you should be able to see where to screw them in.

1992awdlaser's method works, but keep in mind that it eliminates the functionality of circulating air through your crank case. Some people do make the decision that this benefit is not necessary on a mostly track car which gets its oil changed often.

 

[Thower]

what is the difference in performance when you have it vented(breather) vs. circulating under a vacuum(as it should be)? I ma just curious why they make this catchcan with a breather filter on top of it unless it was supposed to vent.

 

[jjgrizz73]

The easiest way is to, hook up both lines off the valve cover to it and have a filter on top. This will let any pressure out of the crank case while catching all the oil. If you do it this way, either delete the pcv valve or drill it out. Also, make sure to block off where the pcv went to the intake manifold and where the side of the valve cover went to the intake pipe.

I was too wondering about the pcv and hooking it back up. With the smim i didnt want to hook it up to it and have buildup. So with the catchcan I bought from jmfab with the breather I can hook up both of the lines off the valve cover to this catch can and it will be fine? If I drill out the pcv of course.

Note I am running a gm maf and a fp intake with no source to hook the catch can up to the intake pipe

 

[Boosted98gsx]

Allowing the engine to produce positive crank case pressure causes your engine to lose efficiency, and also will produce more oil leaks and oil blow by around your valves leading to predetonation.

 

[me612]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/229338-stupid-pcv-question.html

Read that entire thread. It will answer a lot of questions regarding how to properly setup your CCV system.

 

[jjgrizz73]

i take it then best way to avoid the build up is to run another catch can between the PCV and the intake mani. to avoid buildup? Just wondering, how much oil does blow out of the PCV under positive pressure? Id like to avoid installing yet another catch can and just run a direct hose if its not too bad.

 

[1992awdlaser]

I was too wondering about the pcv and hooking it back up. With the smim i didnt want to hook it up to it and have buildup. So with the catchcan I bought from jmfab with the breather I can hook up both of the lines off the valve cover to this catch can and it will be fine? If I drill out the pcv of course.

Note I am running a gm maf and a fp intake with no source to hook the catch can up to the intake pipe

The way I mentioned is perfectly fine. Some people don't like the idea. I have had mine like that for a while and know many other people who have it this way, too. The crank case will always have positive pressure, that's why pcv stands for positive crankcase ventilation. The rings don't seal perfectly and some combustion always leaks into the crank case. It has to get out somehow. Some people that I have talked to thinks the only way for it to get out is for a vacuum source to be hooked up to the crankcase, this is simply not true. Positive pressure will get out by itself.

 

[jjgrizz73]

The way I mentioned is perfectly fine. Some people don't like the idea. I have had mine like that for a while and know many other people who have it this way, too. The crank case will always have positive pressure, that's why pcv stands for positive crankcase ventilation. The rings don't seal perfectly and some combustion always leaks into the crank case. It has to get out somehow. Some people that I have talked to thinks the only way for it to get out is for a vacuum source to be hooked up to the crankcase, this is simply not true. Positive pressure will get out by itself.

What you're saying makes sense to me also. The pressure in the crankcase is basically looking for somewhere to relieve itself, so with the pcv still attached hooked up to a vented catch can should work fine, really no different than circulating back into the intake manifold to relieve the pressure.

 

[93 GSX TURBO]

Ive been working on my making my own catch can and was thinking about just making a catch can with 3 nipples and a breather on top. Valve cover to can, 2nd valve cover to can and intake manifold to can. Ive been reading through the other threads but have not seen anyone else try this.

 

[1992awdlaser]

Ive been working on my making my own catch can and was thinking about just making a catch can with 3 nipples and a breather on top. Valve cover to can, 2nd valve cover to can and intake manifold to can. Ive been reading through the other threads but have not seen anyone else try this.

Don't do it that way. That way will suck unmetered air ino the intake manifold during vacuum and will release air when boosting. Do it the way I described or the way No_Skillz described.

 

[Thower]

^ so with my PCV still installed I am fine using the RRE catch can, correct? I have a PepBoys nearby where I can get one of these( 1/4 inch Mini Filter #24343 by Plews Edelmann at HardwareAndTools.com ) if the RRE is not acceptable.

 

[1992awdlaser]

^ so with my PCV still installed I am fine using the RRE catch can, correct? I have a PepBoys nearby where I can get one of these( 1/4 inch Mini Filter #24343 by Plews Edelmann at HardwareAndTools.com ) if the RRE is not acceptable.

If it is vented, the only way to properly set it up is the way I described.

 

[El Cuervo]

No_Skillz, thank you very much for the picture! Thats exactly what I am looking for.
Again. Thank you very much.

jorge.

 

[Thower]

The easiest way is to, hook up both lines off the valve cover to it and have a filter on top. This will let any pressure out of the crank case while catching all the oil. If you do it this way, either delete the pcv valve or drill it out. Also, make sure to block off where the pcv went to the intake manifold and where the side of the valve cover went to the intake pipe.

do you have a picture of this setup? also is drilling the pcv necessary? I prefer to leave it intact

 

[19BLACKGST98]

You can use almost anything for a catch can. I agree not to use the breather also. I use a 2g power steering resivour and it is mounted upside down in front of the passenger side wheel well. When I change my oil all I have to do is unscrew the cap to the make shift catch can and it just poors right out.
Also everything is routed where it should be.

 

[1992awdlaser]

do you have a picture of this setup? also is drilling the pcv necessary? I prefer to leave it intact

Here is a picture of another member's car.

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It won't work to release the pressure as good without drilling the "valve" out of it.

 

[Thower]

How does the overall positive crankcase ventilation system work with the intake manifold vacuum plugged, and the two lines coming off the valvecover going into the can work? It seems to me having the vacuum source pulling on the valve cover would work the best way.

 

[1992awdlaser]

How does the overall positive crankcase ventilation system work with the intake manifold vacuum plugged, and the two lines coming off the valvecover going into the can work? It seems to me having the vacuum source pulling on the valve cover would work the best way.

It will work perfectly fine he way I described. Positive pressure = will find a place to go(to the catch can), it doesn't need vacuum for this to happen.

Also, with it set up like stock, pressure can't get out via the pcv valve since it is closed.