Anybody using a Catch Can?

stmitch · Jul 7, 2015

Factory PCV sucks with the Whipple. The supercharger syphons oil into the intake, which is something I'd like to avoid.
I'm struggling to think of good mounting locations for a catch can since the drivers side of the firewall is pretty full (brake booster, steering shaft, clutch master cylinder, cab-to-engine harness bulkhead, etc). Anybody have ideas or pics of how they've done it?

Mark_88 · Jul 7, 2015

I used one for about two years. Still have it, but it's going to the dumpster as soon as I figure the rest out...

I put mine on the passenger side where the air box normally would sit on a FI setup as having a carb freed up that space.

Mine was home made and worked somewhat OK...it would have been better if I'd given it a breather at the top, but my truck was puffing smoke at the same time so that made using anything vented a bit tricky...

This, of course, was with the 88 cab so things were a bit different in later fuel injected models. Something I noticed with later models was some 2.3s had a valve cover vent that went into the air box bottom instead of back into the throttle body. This was a setup that I attempted to use just before the motor blew last July so I never really got a chance to test it out.

There is a special vent tube attachment that runs right over to the base of the filter air box on the passenger side which seemed to be an almost ideal setup...except for the oil dripping into the air box requiring regular cleaning...or a catch can just before the air is vented into the bottom of the air box...

85_Ranger4x4 · Jul 7, 2015

The one in my brother's JLT kit for his Mustang is pretty much just held up by the hoses.

His has the piston cooling jets which puts more vaporized oil into the air inside the crankcase. It doesn't get a long with his tuner, I forget if it makes it a tad too rich or lean. (his is an '11, midyear '12 they quit doing the jets so of course tuners are geared more aggressively for the 12.5-14/15? cars)

RonD · Jul 7, 2015

The oil vapor comes from the oil on the cylinder walls and rings that is vaporized by Blow-by.
Increasing compression ratio, supercharger, increases heat and so increases vapor.

Use a good quality oil to reduce vapor, first.

What engine do you have?
Could you reverse valve covers and put PCV valve on the other side with catch can and longer vacuum hose and Vent hose?

stmitch · Jul 7, 2015

It's a 3.0. The whipple was designed for use with the stock PCV valve on the driver's side valve cover to route vapors back into the intake of the supercharger. Syphoning oil through the PCV is a common problem on supercharged Fords according to Whipple. Unfortunately, the valve covers cannot be switched.
I'm going to use a catch can. It's already on the way. I just need to determine a mounting location.

stmitch · Jul 7, 2015

85_Ranger4x4 said:
The one in my brother's JLT kit for his Mustang is pretty much just held up by the hoses.

His has the piston cooling jets which puts more vaporized oil into the air inside the crankcase. It doesn't get a long with his tuner, I forget if it makes it a tad too rich or lean. (his is an '11, midyear '12 they quit doing the jets so of course tuners are geared more aggressively for the 12.5-14/15? cars)

I've seen those. The one I've purchased is CNC'd aluminum, and I'd much rather mount it to something than have it swinging around unsecured. I'll probably be venting to atmosphere too, so it wouldn't be supported on both sides like your brother's.

85_Ranger4x4 · Jul 7, 2015

stmitch said:
I've seen those. The one I've purchased is CNC'd aluminum, and I'd much rather mount it to something than have it swinging around unsecured. I'll probably be venting to atmosphere too, so it wouldn't be supported on both sides like your brother's.

His is aluminum too, good point on being vented instead of teed in though.

RonD · Jul 7, 2015

Also when running boost pressure the intake vacuum goes to 0 and then can go to +pressure, stock PCV valves can pass this pressure into the engine, this pushes the oil vapor out the Vent hose where it is sucked into intake/supercharger/inner cooler.

Blown · Jul 7, 2015

What do I know and I not really answering your question, but I have always used a slightly thicker oil in my blown engines. I went to 10W30 instead of 5W30 in my 4.0 SOHC. I think it helps reduce blow-by a little bit, is probably a good idea since boost puts more pressure on the rotating assembly bearing surfaces, and I figure the little bit of blow-by lubricates the top end of the cylinders. I do only run 6lbs, don't see blue smoke and pass emissions. I don't think it is a problem unless your getting a bunch of blow-by.

I thought of a catch can on and blown Windsor build but never did it. When I pulled the heads I did not see carbon build-up from burning a little blow-by oil, but I also use a good fuel system cleaner once in a while.

As anectdotal proof, there are upper cylinder Lubricants available on the market. Ya they go through the fuel system not the intake but here is a good explanation of their use: http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/content.php?429-Lucas-Upper-Cylinder-Lube-It-s-not-about-the-MPG

Mac · Jul 7, 2015

I've run a couple of blown Mustangs, first was a 4.6 and on tear down found a lot oil. Went to a full forged 4.6 and was told to be sure to use a 5W-50. Next was the new 5.0 and I did use the JLT separator and found 1/2 teaspoon of oil after 5000 miles. New 5.0 is sure to get one soon. The JLT just hangs on the hose but it is very stiff. Sure you'll find a good location for yours but worth it.
Dave

85_Ranger4x4 · Jul 9, 2015

Blown said:
What do I know and I not really answering your question, but I have always used a slightly thicker oil in my blown engines. I went to 10W30 instead of 5W30 in my 4.0 SOHC. I think it helps reduce blow-by a little bit, is probably a good idea since boost puts more pressure on the rotating assembly bearing surfaces, and I figure the little bit of blow-by lubricates the top end of the cylinders. I do only run 6lbs, don't see blue smoke and pass emissions. I don't think it is a problem unless your getting a bunch of blow-by.

I thought of a catch can on and blown Windsor build but never did it. When I pulled the heads I did not see carbon build-up from burning a little blow-by oil, but I also use a good fuel system cleaner once in a while.

As anectdotal proof, there are upper cylinder Lubricants available on the market. Ya they go through the fuel system not the intake but here is a good explanation of their use: http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/content.php?429-Lucas-Upper-Cylinder-Lube-It-s-not-about-the-MPG

10W-30 is only thicker than 5W-30 when the engine is cold... dunno how you roll but when I had a car with a blower (turbo Eclipse) I didn't get after it too hard until it was warmed up anyway. Even my NA stuff I have now I do the same... down to my lawn mower.

Blown · Jul 9, 2015

85_Ranger4x4 said:
10W-30 is only thicker than 5W-30 when the engine is cold... dunno how you roll but when I had a car with a blower (turbo Eclipse) I didn't get after it too hard until it was warmed up anyway. Even my NA stuff I have now I do the same... down to my lawn mower.

Dang, your right, I probably ought to go with 10w40. :icon_thumby:

I will also add that I think the manufacturers are going down to 5w to squease every bit of mileage out.

sorry for the hijack Mitch. :beer:

stmitch · Jul 11, 2015

No worries Blown.

I got the catch can the other day and started looking for suitable locations to mount it. Thankfully, it's pretty compact at just 5 inches tall and 2.5 inches in diameter. Looks like I'll probably mount it on the passenger side just inboard of the HVAC plenum, and route the hose behind the engine.

Mark_88 · Jul 11, 2015

I was running 20w50 in warm weather and 15w40 in cooler...although that was a diesel recommended oil and had a cleaning effect from what I read about it. With a block heater I wasn't too concerned about thicker oil, but I should have used a pan heater with it to make it a bit easier on the warm up.

I figured with all the blow-by my engine was capable of, it was doing a good job of warming up the oil during my 5 minute idle before taking off.

If you've got pics or can take any of this new catch can, it might be a nice article for the tech article section. The one I made became so messy and confused with hoses and separators that it was not much good...although there were many people reading it, I doubt anyone took a chance on using it as a guide...

PlumCrazy · Jul 11, 2015

Sub'd

I will be looking into mounting some sort of catch can in the near future on the 4.0

Anybody using a Catch Can?

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