Greddy catch can location

[raymo19]

After reading numerous threads about the problems of boost in the crankcase and oil vapor/crud in the intake I'm attempting to address these issues.

I installed a Supra (PV1009) PCV valve between the Honda PVC (which seems to be in good shape) and the manifold yesterday. I've also purchased a Greddy oil catch can (traditional, rectangular, 15mm) like the one pictured here at the top of the page:

http://www.streetunit.com/GReddy_Oil_Catch_Can_p/12003510.htm

I probably should have researched this a bit better as finding a convenient location to mount the can has proved to be daunting. After considering and dismissing several possibilities I discovered that the can will fit nicely inside the Comptech air box if mounted to the back.

Now some questions:

Anybody see a problem with this location if I route the hoses around the heatshield on the passenger side of the engine bay provided there are no hose kinks?

The can is not baffled so should I use some sort of filter material to condense the oil vapors? Coarse steel wool perhaps?

What size hose would be best? 15/32" or 1/2" perhaps?

If it turns out to be a go I plan to do the modifications to the airbox off the car. I'll need holes in the back of the box to mount the can and probably a slot cut in the top for the fittings. I think I can rig up some fittings to make elbows to turn the nipples back in the right direction.I also plan to incorporate the Supra PCV in the return line close to the IM.

Thanks as always for any advice or feel free to call me a crack head.:D

[stantaur]

You're definitely headed in the right direction. Every track regular I've seen is running something similar. Some guys plumb their drain line back into the turbo's oil return line that drains into the main bearing saddle. Given that I use my small KrankVent between the manifold vacuum and the filter/separator & as a weight and cost savings, I'm trying a tip some of the guys pointed me towards, YMMV. Seems to make sense though. It's a ~ $12 unit from Kobalt...

Kobalt Mini Air Filter (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=221024-1126-KBA10600AV&detail=&lpage=none) Interestingly enough, Jeg's also sells a similar unit branded under their own private label for $44. So I'm betting the gas pressure/vacuum and oil temp isn't a big issue for this item. Smaller version (there's a slightly larger version as well) may simplify mounting.

Enjoy,
Stanford

[repiv]

That catch can looks to be the "closed" system kind. That is, it requires the circuit to be complete so that when there is manifold vacuum, the oil vapours can still be drawn out of the PCV line. That being the case, the size must be such that it can be connected to the existing hose fittings. This may or may not require a transition fitting so the hoses can plug into the catch can nipples. More importantly, the hoses must be sturdy walled so that under heat and vacuum conditions, they don't collapse.
Also, since crankcase pressures are not kept out of the PCV line during boost (positive manifold pressure), there is more likelihood that this pressure will now exit the front breather. You need to address this situation or you'll still be ingesting oil vapours into the intake manifold. You might consider a small filter on the front breather and plug where the hose normally goes into the pre-supercharger area of the air filter box.
I chose a different route. I used an "open" catch can and fed both PCV and front breather lines into the same can. I plugged where the PCV line normally enters the intake manifold and also eliminated the inlet/outlet hole in the pre-blower elbow. Boost stays in the intake manifold and crankcase pressures must relieve itself (without manifold vacuum) into the catch can. The engine can also (when necessary) draw air back in via the filter on the open catch can.

[Bob A (SD)]

Here's where I put my Greddy catch can. Made room by removing the OEM air box resonator.

http://rap.midco.net/bald1/engine_compartment.jpg

http://rap.midco.net/bald1/open_side_frontend.jpg

--Bob
http://rap.midco.net/bald1/SS2.gif

[raymo19]

So let me see if I have this straight for my application.

1. Adding the 2nd stronger PCV valve should keep boost out of the crankcase - good.

2. Placing the catch can between the valve cover and im should prevent oil vapors from being recycled into the im - good.

3. When the PCV valves are closed the oil vapors will most likely vent through the inlet port on the front of the valve cover and be returned to the im - bad.

#3 can be alleviated by putting a small filter on the inlet port and venting to the atmosphere.

Could I also place a 2nd catch can on the inlet port and return that to the pre-blower tube?

Could I place some sort of inline filter on the inlet port and return to the tube? I would imagine this would need to be checked/changed frequently.

Bob -

What size and type hose do you have on your car? Where does the front port on your valve cover go?

Thanks again. Maybe I'll finally get my head wrapped around this.

[repiv]

#3 can be alleviated by putting a small filter on the inlet port and venting to the atmosphere.

Could I also place a 2nd catch can on the inlet port and return that to the pre-blower tube?

Could I place some sort of inline filter on the inlet port and return to the tube? I would imagine this would need to be checked/changed frequently.

Bob -

What size and type hose do you have on your car? Where does the front port on your valve cover go?
I think you've got a good understanding of those 3 points.
Yes, a small filter venting to atmosphere will prevent oil vapours from getting into the IM, but may not be environmentally friendly. It will also allow air to be drawn back into the valve cover when needed.
A second catch can on the front breather will also work but it's hard to say just how much oil actually comes out that front breather since the flow isn't always just outgoing. Try the small filter first and see how badly oiled up it gets. You've already got a problem figuring out where to install the one. A second one will make things more complicated.
I just got the same size and type of hose that already exists for the PCV and front breather lines. My front breather goes into a "Y" that goes into my open catch can. The PCV line goes into the other side of the "Y". I'm still using only the stock PCV valve. My open system doesn't rely upon manifold vacuum to draw out vapours, only positive crankcase pressures to push them out. In a period of about 6 months, I collect about 30 cc of oil. Interestingly, my catch can collects more water than oil, especially over the cold winter months.

[Bob A (SD)]

Bob -

What size and type hose do you have on your car? Where does the front port on your valve cover go?

Thanks again. Maybe I'll finally get my head wrapped around this.

The front valve cover port breather is connected to the stock air intake hose in the original factory configuration. Since I'm just NA, my set up is simply the Greddy can between the PCV valve and intake manifold. I'm using NAPA multi-duty 3.8" (9.5mm) braided 250 psi (1.72 MPa) WP hose which is also marked CS082803 Y500. It comes is other colors as well. Originally I had installed that clear braided cheap stuff that came with the can. It's crap.

[raymo19]

I got a lot done today after leaving work around 2:00 PM. My excuse was I needed to take care of a few things at home.:D The airbox fabrication is complete - the mounting holes worked out almost perfectly but the slot in the back of the airbox looks like ***.:laugh: I couldn't quite figure out where the hose nipples would exit from the back so the slots are a bit larger than need be. I may see if a fiberglass guy can dress it up a bit later on. At least I didn't have to cut the top.

I also got the hoses mounted on the engine side and routed around the valve cover and the heatshield back to the airbox opening. I'm using 1/2" heater hose and just built up all the nipples with 5/16" hose and clamps. I also embedded a PV1009 PCV valve in the hose just in front of the IM.

The K&N breather filter I ordered (can't recall the part number just now) will be in tomorrow afternoon so now I just need to figure out a good way to plug the SC tube. Any ideas for plugging a 1/2" nipple? Chill you perverts - I mean a hose nipple.:p

If I can get the rest done tomorrow then we're ready to test on Friday.:martini2:

[repiv]

so now I just need to figure out a good way to plug the SC tube. Any ideas for plugging a 1/2" nipple?
You can do what I did to plug the hole going into the IM where the PCV normaly goes. Get a tube that is the same size that will over the nipple. Get a piece of dowel (wood or metal) and cut about 1/2" length to shove into the tube. The tube only needs to be long enough to fit over the nipple and hold the dowel. Use a couple of hose clamps to hold the tube on the nipple and to keep the dowel from falling out.
Another options would be to get a tapered rubber bung and shove it into the nipple. That nipple is not under any pressure, so it won't blow out.

[raymo19]

I finished up yesterday evening and took the car out for a little spin. When I got back I checked under the hood to make sure everything was still where it was supposed to be. :laugh:

I'll try to get some pics up today or sometime this weekend. I think it turned out pretty nice.

Thanks again for the input and advice everyone. :thumbup:

[raymo19]

Pics:

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/raymo19/IMG_0670.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/raymo19/IMG_0671.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/raymo19/IMG_0673.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/raymo19/IMG_0674.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/raymo19/IMG_0675.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/raymo19/IMG_0678.jpg

Critiques and advice welcome. I placed the little filter where it is thinking it would be as cool a spot as available. The car runs great - no issues as far as I can tell.

[repiv]

Where's the Supra PCV valve? I can't see it in your pictures.

[raymo19]

Where's the Supra PCV valve? I can't see it in your pictures.

It's embedded in the hose coming from the IM. There's a little hump about halfway between the "E" and the "1/2" in picture 2. You can't really see it in the picture but I'll be keeping my eye on it to see if it moves down the hose.

I used a nut driver and liberal amounts of WD-40 to put it there.;)

[raymo19]

Well it's been about six months since the install and I needed to clean the air filter anyway so I decided to empty the catch can and check the condition of the vent filter.

I got about an ounce of fluid out of the can that seemed to be mostly water, a bit of oil, and a tiny amount of gasoline. It smells horrible. The filter was in great shape and the hoses don't seem to have any build up on them.

I added a bit more condensing material (another heavy duty stainless steel pot scrubber) and buttoned everything back up.

Do the can contents seem normal or nominal?

[repiv]

That's sounds about like what I find when I check mine every 6 months or so. I tend to collect more water over the winter months.

[raymo19]

Sweet! Now I've got to check with the finance manager about new new rears and an alignment and I'll be ready for summer.:D

[repiv]

Sweet! Now I've got to check with the finance manager about new new rears and an alignment and I'll be ready for summer.:D

Hehe, I just go out and buy stuff. My "finance manager" finds out when stuff appears at the door. Just bought new (new to me) rims, Stoptech rotors and have new calipers on the way. I didn't really need them, just wanted them. Oh, did I tell you she didn't know about the supercharger till the giant 60 lb. box showed up? She found out about the Viper when she pulled into the garage and saw it sitting there. :o
And she's still with me. :crazy:

[raymo19]

Hehe, I just go out and buy stuff. My "finance manager" finds out when stuff appears at the door. Just bought new (new to me) rims, Stoptech rotors and have new calipers on the way. I didn't really need them, just wanted them. Oh, did I tell you she didn't know about the supercharger till the giant 60 lb. box showed up? She found out about the Viper when she pulled into the garage and saw it sitting there. :o
And she's still with me. :crazy:

Amazing how they keep hanging around isn't it?:D

I've used your technique in the past with good success but it seems you end up paying a price one way or another.

[darkside]

You guys are my hero's.

[ikidomari]

haha, that sounds very familiar. after i had installed the sc, we were driving around to somewhere and she says, "does you're car sound different?"

i'm planning a similar strategy for my suspension. hahaha. :D

[raymo19]

Wait a minute. What rims?:think:

...Just bought new (new to me) rims..,

[repiv]

I bought a set of used Racing Harts from "w1ngman". It was a good price for nice rims. I'm going to use them for my winter tires. Wanted to go to 17" snow tires.