The "Catch Can" Explained!

[Glen e]

Thanks to this thread and Apex, I sold my catch can new in box I bought from Apex to another member here. Only because I do less than 6K miles ayear (retired) and plan to sell the car in 18-24 months to get a new Vette. Thanks again for the straight talk.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by sub zero

i found RX dual and single valves , wich one i should go for ?

Single for naturally aspirated applications, dual for forced induction.

[cbass]

Originally Posted by sub zero

i found RX dual and single valves , wich one i should go for ?

What are your plans? I went with the dual because it was only $20 extra. If I wanted a dual setup in the future or needed one I would have to tap holes in the can. Currently I just run a dual can with a single valve setup and use a rubber cap to close of the second valve I don't use. I always have the option to use the second valve.

[sub zero]

i'm not gonna for supercharge or turbo , just a headers with CAI and soon with Vmax throttle ..

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by sub zero

i'm not gonna for supercharge or turbo , just a headers with CAI and soon with Vmax throttle ..

Single valve it is then.

[mjross]

I'm sorry for the lack of understanding but what is the deal with this catch can thing. You pay 40K for a rig and have to add a catch can. Putting it plain an simple, I just do not understand why you would need to install one of these on a new car. Is GM that bad at designing cars and engines that we have to do these type of mods. If it was really needed would GM not have added it or at the very least, would they not be forced to include this as a technical issue. I'm sorry, but this does not make sense. Just my 2 cents. Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and patience.

Peace,

Mj

[rray]

Originally Posted by mjross

Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and patience.

I don't think the regular Joe that buys a car really needs a catch can either. But what if a guy don't follow rules, and can't help but break 2-3 dozen laws each and every time he get's in a car. Any car. He has an illegal lead foot, and drives too hard. He pay's the price when he get's caught, so so he has become extremely proficient at NOT getting caught. He also puts more stress on his car than the average Joe.

If you drive your car like a racecar, you MIGHT experience higher than normal piston ring blowby. That oil, water, and whatever mist gets sucked into your intake and burned. It MAY also coat the inside of your intake. Sub-micron sized particles of dirt smaller than the air cleaner can filter MAY stick to that oil coating inside your intake and on the backside of your intake valves.

Over time, that coating of fine particles (Which examined in a material analysis as being mostly silica dust) could possible buildup like a ceramic coating. For no reason at all, a chunk of it MIGHT someday break off and land on the valve seat, preventing a good seal during ignition. Could that be bad?

What if you worked for a car manufacturer and were in the business of selling cars and service, and wanted to build in just a bit of planned obsolescence, targeting those who are harder on cars than the regular Joe? What if the abusive driver could add a slight bit of insurance against that scenario from happening?

[mjross]

rray,

Thanks for the response and your time. So basically, if I drive the car like a normal person, the catch can is not as big a deal. However, if I like to hot rod, the catch can would be a good idea. I'm I understanding this right?

Peace,

Mj

[Nutbutt]

Even the typical joe can benefit from the catch can. Yes, it will take longer for a damaging buildup but it will happen. If you want to keep your car running great even after 75k and 150k get the can. GM wouldn't put this on because it would be something that the consumer should have to monitor, empty, and discard the oily mess. By just leaving it back into the intake it is slowly burn off but also caking up on the valves more so on these engine designs.
For an extra $100 the piece of mind is worth it for me. Just think of the $ you put into waxes and leather conditioner to prevent the finish from harmful uv. This is the same. GM could do something to prevent this but don't.

[mjross]

I have a friend that has put 130K on his GM truck and has never had an engine issue. So this is only an issue with the engine in the Camaro?

[Nutbutt]

Again, if you really want the best for your car check out the custom saikou Michi cans. These guys are the best, most of the car these guys design for are the high end super car crowd.
http://www.saikoumichi.com/

[Nutbutt]

Yes, It seems to be prevalent on these engines and really bad on the v6s.

[bumblebeecamaro]

Originally Posted by mjross

I have a friend that has put 130K on his GM truck and has never had an engine issue. So this is only an issue with the engine in the Camaro?

Just because your friend hasn't had any issues doesn't mean the intake track isn't smothered with oil ingestion silt. He could very well have all that garbage in his intake track but yet still be running. The tops of his pistons and or valves might be coated with that garbage.

Again, the engine will continue to run but certainly not at it's best performance.

[wally mayfield]

wondering if theres any pictures of a car thats had the catch can from the git-go..
to see how "clean" the system is, compared.....know what i mean?

back in the carbureted days, we would run the hose into the headers..on airplanes without a catch can this is dumped overboard by the exhaust...