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DIY Oil Catch Can mod

YSOSLO

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
Since a few of you guys were talking about oil catch cans this morning, I figured I'd post up this like I ran across in another forum. Looks like a pretty decent walk-through for a low-cost solution.

Oil Catch Can How-To
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
That's actually a pretty good general template. A catch can is a functional part, but so much of what's out there is just extremely overpriced bling. I like the idea of using a cheap anodized aluminum bottle, since you can find them in a variety of colors, but as far as function goes, any kind of metal can with a removable lid (for draining) would work just fine. Great post!
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
Pull off your intake and look at all the greasy residue between the valve cover breather line and your turbo.

The catch can traps all the oily blow-by and other crud that gets drawn from your valve cover by the breather, and prevents it from entering the intake tract. It's not a performance mod per se, but it will keep your intake, intercooler, piping, throttle, and intake manifold noticably cleaner.


A lot of people will just remove the breather line altogether, and put a small breather filter on the port on the valve cover instead, but the general idea is that keeping the line attached to your intake provides better ventilation.
 
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dmention7

dmention7

Hater
I was looking on amazon, and these bottles can be had for under $10. So I don't see it costing more than $15-20 with the fittings and hose.
 
YSOSLO

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
I'm glad you guys liked this one. I was at Target last week and they had these bottles in stock too. Most stores have them, but some put them by the exercise stuff and others put them by the coolers and thermoses(sp?). In the instructions I linked to, it also mentions how to set it up without the 90 degree angled piece of tubing and just putting in a straight one with a filter attached. Either way would work.

Also, if you guys want to figure out a weekend that works for you (other than Ella's birthday party weekend Feb 21st-22nd) I can probably work it out so my garage would be available for installs out of the cold some late morning/early afternoon.
 
YSOSLO

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
Sure thing JT. You might want to talk with Colin (DrWebster) about how he did his. It was a pretty slick setup.
 
A

aviateur

Guest
I'm in for this as well. I think I remember reading on m3f that some people put two catch cans to catch stuff at two different points.
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
I was at target this weekend, and they had a decent selection of aluminum bottles, but there were only 2 that weren't weird shapes/colors... one was a blue that was too dark for my car, and the other was plain aluminum. Both were only $7.99 though. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for black...
 
YSOSLO

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
dmention7 said:
I was at target this weekend, and they had a decent selection of aluminum bottles, but there were only 2 that weren't weird shapes/colors... one was a blue that was too dark for my car, and the other was plain aluminum. Both were only $7.99 though. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for black...
Click to expand...
Primer and paint man!!...you could flame that mofo OUT! or just paint it with primer and then paint it plain ole black, but I bet you could get a few of these guys to go in on a rattle can with you to get the cost down to less than $1 each.
 
Z

ZoomZoom Diva

New Member
I've been thinking of doing one of these, as it's been recommended for the NA Mazda6 as well... however, I'm not seeing an issue paying $80 to save the fabrication time and hassle... it also has a nice drain on the bottom.
 
Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Things to keep in mind when doing this:

1) If your car is boosted you will want a PCV valve between the catch can and the intake side to keep the can from being pressurized when you are under boost.

2) Size of the can - the smaller it is the more frequently you'll have to empty it, needs to fit in your engine bay somewhere though.

3) Ease of emptying - Being you'll probably be emptying this every 2-4 weeks, a can with a design that allows you to easily empty it is ideal, this is going to vary based on where and how you are mounting it. Something with a level indicator is nice too so you can easily see when it needs to be emptied, not really required though.

Here's a pic of what came out of a catch can on a MS3 after a month...needless to say I'm going to be installing one soon.




I'm thinking of ordering the Stage 2 Saikou Michi, seems to be pretty popular amoungst the mazda peoples, has the correct size barbs to match our PCV valve as well. If others are interested I could check and see if they will do any sort of group discount for us.
http://www.saikoumichi.com/
 
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dmention7

dmention7

Hater
I'm confused why you say the can needs a PCV valve... Stock, the breather is connected directly to the intake. It's purpose is to vent blow-by gasses out of the block/valve cover. Since the can is connected inline from the breather to the intake, it will never see positive pressure, since the intake side of the turbo is always at some nominal vacuum.

Okay, I think I just realized what you mean... One could also hook up a catch can inline between the PCV valve and its vacuum source (i.e. the intake mani). In that case, you would definitely want a PCV valve on both sides of the catch can.


Also, I completed mine last weekend for a grand total of about $15 including semi-gloss black paint. I may consider a companion can for the PCV line as well.... I should also say that for $15, mine looks nicer than the one that guy is selling for $85! lol
 
Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
dmention7 said:
Okay, I think I just realized what you mean... One could also hook up a catch can inline between the PCV valve and its vacuum source (i.e. the intake mani). In that case, you would definitely want a PCV valve on both sides of the catch can.
Click to expand...
That's generally the most important place to put one, the breather will capture some but not nearly what one connected to the stock PCV valve will.

Jay, you should post some pics of yours and what 'container' you used. I'm not concerned about looks as you likely won't be able to see mine, I just want something that is going to function well and is easy to empty.
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
Ask and ye shall receive...

Can't find a link to the exact container I used, but it was very similar to this one, and I got it at sports authority for $7.

Here are a few pics:



I haven't entirely decided how I want to mount it, but I want to do some sort of quick-release bracket, or if I can figure out a band clamp that won't scratch the paint off.

I didn't mean the comment about mine looking better disparagingly, I just meant that it seems like most of the catch cans you buy are overpriced and blingy, when one can achieve all the function and most of the looks with only a few dollars and a little bit of handiness. Personally, I just wanted something black that would disappear in the engine bay. Also, point taken about putting a catch can on the PCV line... I'll have to keep that in mind.
 
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D

DrWebster

Guest
Dude, you rigged up your catch can so you can control it with an Xbox controller? That's some dope shit.
 
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