DIY: Cheap oil vapor catch "can" - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BadAndy · 06-26-2013, 02:29 PM

I'm cheap when it comes to certain things. I'm sure all of the higher end catch cans work great and the definitely look good in the engine bay but for something that isn't a major mod, cost savings are important to me. Flame away

I did the same thing on my 2003 Mach 1 Mustang and total cost is around $20~.

I bought a Kobalt air/water separator for air compressors at Lowes along with appropriately sized air fittings to screw into it. I don't remember the exact specs at the moment. The separator came with a nipple type valve on the bottom which was likely for draining the captured liquid but it wasn't air tight.

I dug around the hardware section until I found a matching bolt and nut which fit surprisingly perfect in place of the drain valve. Removed the valve and put some silicone in the opening, dropped the bolt in through the cup and moved it around so it would get coated with silicone. Tightened the nut and wiped off the excess. Let air dry for an hour or so.

The hose I used it just plain fuel line acquired at O'Reilly Auto. A couple feet is what I had and cut it down to the length I needed.

The U hose was a pain to remove because the removal tabs are on the underside and in a semi-tight spot. Had to unplug a few things in that area to get them out. The fuel line slipped on and is snug all by itself without needing clamps but you can use clamps if you feel more comfortable.

It tucks away decently under the engine cover so it's not very noticeable at first. It's also easy to empty since the cup unscrews.

Picture time!

NoSloSS · 06-26-2013, 02:49 PM

Now we just need to wait and see if it works. Interesting idea.

BadAndy · 06-26-2013, 03:01 PM

It worked perfectly on my Mustang, no reason it wouldn't on this car.

Only 35 miles since installation (installed at 850 miles) this morning but I'll post results when it starts accumulating.

2Carats · 06-26-2013, 03:04 PM

Subscribed!!!

Mind controlled by Cerebro

RJT-SS · 06-26-2013, 03:45 PM

Good idea. In the second picture, it looks like the hose is kinked. Might want to check that.

BadAndy · 06-26-2013, 03:57 PM

It is slightly pinched but not completely closed off and still flows. I'm going to check the parts store to see about getting a PCV connector/fitting that would let me shorten the hose and not have it pinched.

gahammerle · 06-26-2013, 03:58 PM

It would be interesting to put a second catch can inline after your first one to see how much is getting by yours.

All cans will catch some, but do they catch enough?

BadAndy · 06-26-2013, 04:46 PM

That would be interesting to see. These devices tend to catch quite a bit as I saw with my Mustang and the outlet hose was relatively dry the few times I checked it.

SSMickey · 06-26-2013, 10:51 PM

Interesting. Not a lot of surface area to allow the vapor time to condense and separate, but if it works, great. Pull your TB after 5k miles and let us know what you find. You can also install one of those little glass inline fuel filters on the outlet and see if it's catching it all.

2010SLVRBULIT · 06-26-2013, 10:56 PM

interesting..I installed a 'generic' catch can that probably costs as much as the sum of your parts..lol

BadAndy · 07-04-2013, 01:46 AM

After 150 miles it's only collected a very small amount. I'm happy with it

NoSloSS · 07-05-2013, 08:26 AM

I would say that's a good amount considering it's only a 150 miles.

Apex Motorsports · 07-05-2013, 07:15 PM

I am not familiar with that particular device but the question is not will it catch oil. An empty beer can with fittings will catch some oil. Seriously, its been tested. The question is effectiveness. How much is it catching versus how much is passing through. Like gahammerle suggested, installing a catch can behind that to see what it caught would be very interesting.

gutterball · 07-06-2013, 04:53 PM

After seeing this, I went and purchased the unit at Lowes, after taking it apart, I was very impressed at the construction. The input and output are two seperate chambers, the input goes into the Glass (actually plastic) chamber, and to exit, must go through what looks like a cork filter. There is no way Oil is getting tru. The Oil drops to the bottom of the Chamber, where there is a drain plug.

06-26-2013, 02:29 PM	#1
BadAndy Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 149	DIY: Cheap oil vapor catch "can" I'm cheap when it comes to certain things. I'm sure all of the higher end catch cans work great and the definitely look good in the engine bay but for something that isn't a major mod, cost savings are important to me. Flame away I did the same thing on my 2003 Mach 1 Mustang and total cost is around $20~. I bought a Kobalt air/water separator for air compressors at Lowes along with appropriately sized air fittings to screw into it. I don't remember the exact specs at the moment. The separator came with a nipple type valve on the bottom which was likely for draining the captured liquid but it wasn't air tight. I dug around the hardware section until I found a matching bolt and nut which fit surprisingly perfect in place of the drain valve. Removed the valve and put some silicone in the opening, dropped the bolt in through the cup and moved it around so it would get coated with silicone. Tightened the nut and wiped off the excess. Let air dry for an hour or so. The hose I used it just plain fuel line acquired at O'Reilly Auto. A couple feet is what I had and cut it down to the length I needed. The U hose was a pain to remove because the removal tabs are on the underside and in a semi-tight spot. Had to unplug a few things in that area to get them out. The fuel line slipped on and is snug all by itself without needing clamps but you can use clamps if you feel more comfortable. It tucks away decently under the engine cover so it's not very noticeable at first. It's also easy to empty since the cup unscrews. Picture time! Attached Images

06-26-2013, 03:04 PM	#4
2Carats Drives: '12 Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Unknown Posts: 1,264 View My Garage	Subscribed!!! Mind controlled by Cerebro __________________ I solve problems for a living. Either accept my advice or go figure it out on your own.

06-26-2013, 03:45 PM	#5
RJT-SS Drives: '11 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Orleans Posts: 504	Good idea. In the second picture, it looks like the hose is kinked. Might want to check that. __________________ Performance Mods: Kooks 1-7/8 LTs; Calico coated w/HFCs, Solo Mach XL catback w/J-pipes, VMax TB, C.A.I. Intake, JRE Tune, RX Catch-Can

06-26-2013, 03:58 PM	#7
gahammerle Drives: 2010 Camaro LS M6 Inferno Orange Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lebanon, OH Posts: 1,672	It would be interesting to put a second catch can inline after your first one to see how much is getting by yours. All cans will catch some, but do they catch enough? __________________ Gordy Injen CAI / Solo Mach-X LLT / Solo High-flow res-cats / Barton short shifter / RX Catch Can / RPI Gills / 35% tint / LED Footwell Lighting Front & Rear / Pedders Street 1 / Pedders steering rack bushing / SS struts / Pfadt drop springs / VMax Ported Throttle Body / Spohn Toe Rods / Spohn Trailing Arms / Trifecta Tune / MACE 25mm Intake Spacers Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gahammerle

06-26-2013, 10:51 PM	#9
SSMickey Drives: 2010 IBM 2SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Columbia S.C. Posts: 1,455 View My Garage	Interesting. Not a lot of surface area to allow the vapor time to condense and separate, but if it works, great. Pull your TB after 5k miles and let us know what you find. You can also install one of those little glass inline fuel filters on the outlet and see if it's catching it all. __________________ ProCharger P1X, Vengeance Racing Kaotic Cam, ARH Headers and Exhaust with Borla ATAK mufflers, MGW Shifter, MTI Drop Springs, Forgeline RB3C Wheels, 3.91 gears, Night Owl LED Control System Last edited by SSMickey; 06-26-2013 at 11:08 PM.

06-26-2013, 02:49 PM	#2
NoSloSS BUMBLWHO Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Evans, GA Posts: 275 View My Garage	Now we just need to wait and see if it works. Interesting idea.

06-26-2013, 03:01 PM	#3
BadAndy Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 149	It worked perfectly on my Mustang, no reason it wouldn't on this car. Only 35 miles since installation (installed at 850 miles) this morning but I'll post results when it starts accumulating.

06-26-2013, 03:57 PM	#6
BadAndy Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 149	It is slightly pinched but not completely closed off and still flows. I'm going to check the parts store to see about getting a PCV connector/fitting that would let me shorten the hose and not have it pinched.

06-26-2013, 04:46 PM	#8
BadAndy Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 149	That would be interesting to see. These devices tend to catch quite a bit as I saw with my Mustang and the outlet hose was relatively dry the few times I checked it.

06-26-2013, 10:56 PM	#10
2010SLVRBULIT Drives: G5(LLT) & C6(LS3) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MARS Posts: 7,527 View My Garage	interesting..I installed a 'generic' catch can that probably costs as much as the sum of your parts..lol

07-04-2013, 01:46 AM	#11
BadAndy Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 149	After 150 miles it's only collected a very small amount. I'm happy with it Attached Images

07-05-2013, 08:26 AM	#12
NoSloSS BUMBLWHO Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Evans, GA Posts: 275 View My Garage	I would say that's a good amount considering it's only a 150 miles.

07-05-2013, 07:15 PM	#13
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	I am not familiar with that particular device but the question is not will it catch oil. An empty beer can with fittings will catch some oil. Seriously, its been tested. The question is effectiveness. How much is it catching versus how much is passing through. Like gahammerle suggested, installing a catch can behind that to see what it caught would be very interesting.

07-06-2013, 04:53 PM	#14
gutterball Drives: 2014 1LS M6 Supercharged Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Britain, Ct Posts: 937 View My Garage	After seeing this, I went and purchased the unit at Lowes, after taking it apart, I was very impressed at the construction. The input and output are two seperate chambers, the input goes into the Glass (actually plastic) chamber, and to exit, must go through what looks like a cork filter. There is no way Oil is getting tru. The Oil drops to the bottom of the Chamber, where there is a drain plug.