DIY: Dual Oil Catch Cans 370Z

wstar · 10-06-2012, 08:42 AM

I don't think it would give a CEL really. You'd block off the PCV lines on the intake and vacuum sides (so no vacuum or intake path peaks for CELs), and run the lines from the valve covers to open air (probably with a simple filter). People do it on older V8's all the time (you see those tiny air filters they mount on the valve cover, that's their "PCV" straight to air). It would serve the basic purpose of not letting excess pressure build in the crankcase, and it would filter any air that was drawn inwards under conditions where the crankcase pressure goes negative. There are probably some subtle points being missed though (if nothing else, it might still be nice to have a pair of them with opposing one-ways so that you get some fresh-air exchange). I wouldn't recommend it just for all the subtle unknowns.

synolimit · 05-19-2013, 11:57 PM

Good write up.

Had to bump this old thread because other cars have a few vents on the motor. Normally blow by comes from the crank vent which leads to the PCV valve since most the pressure comes from there and the PCV needs to open and close depending on the throttle %. But there are vents on the valve covers too. I'm not familiar with this motor yet but it looks like you caught the valve vents. Where is the crank vent with the PCV?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

(3) Why doesn't Nissan install a catch can from the factory, thus meeting EPA *and* not putting dirty oil vapors into the intake? Because you usually have to empty a catch can even more often than you change oil, and if you let it go too long and fill up, the liquid oil will get sucked into your intake via vacuum while the car's running, and that's *really* bad. Most people have a hard time even changing their oil on time, there's no way a consumer car can have catch cans from the factory. They'll just fill up and dump into the engine anyways, possibly catastrophically. Keep in mind cornering/braking/accel G-forces will make the fluid in the can crawl up the walls. You have to keep the level low enough to not walk up to the vacuum line and get sucked in as liquid. Good can design can help with those problems.

That's why you need a AOS. A air oil separator needs to be installed and then routed back to the block. On subis Crawfords AOS does this. Whatever pukes out the 2 valve vents or crank vent, goes into the AOS, is separated, and then drains back to the crank vent via a TEE or Y connector. This way in a race like around VIR the motor won't be down on oil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Can you just run the lines to a point under the car and just let the overflow oil and vapors drip/flow out? I don't give a **** if the EPA doesn't like it. Would be simpler than the cans.

I've done it on a subi. A few hard turns made me stop it since the motors sit sideways and the valve vents puked oil everywhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixpax

You would get a CEL and a crappy idle if you ran it open like that.

No you wouldn't, not as long as the intake manifold return ports are capped off. The vents are not metered air.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

I don't think it would give a CEL really. You'd block off the PCV lines on the intake and vacuum sides (so no vacuum or intake path peaks for CELs), and run the lines from the valve covers to open air (probably with a simple filter). People do it on older V8's all the time (you see those tiny air filters they mount on the valve cover, that's their "PCV" straight to air). It would serve the basic purpose of not letting excess pressure build in the crankcase, and it would filter any air that was drawn inwards under conditions where the crankcase pressure goes negative. There are probably some subtle points being missed though (if nothing else, it might still be nice to have a pair of them with opposing one-ways so that you get some fresh-air exchange). I wouldn't recommend it just for all the subtle unknowns.

Youre correct. Only thing I'm not sure of though is when the lines are hooked up to the mani, its providing a sucking action so it pulls the blow by out of the block and valve covers. By letting the air just come out as pressure builds might effect the motor since its not getting "helped" out. I did run the vents to atmos before on a subi with no issues but you never know long term I guess.

That's why a AOS routed back to the mani is king!! Oil gets caught and sent back where it should be, clean air gets separated and put into the mani for no loss or power or sludge build up and you don't smell oil blow by fumes that venting to atmos will produce, and the intake still provides a vacuum on the block and valve covers to keep everything working like OEM.

wstar · 10-06-2012, 08:45 AM

(Here's a discussion about doing such a thing on an LS1, you can see some of the smaller points being debated there: Can you replace the PCV valve and line with 2 breather filters? - LS1TECH )

icormba · 10-06-2012, 05:17 PM

Indeed, these are the little filters you see at the auto parts stores, called crankcase filters.

Also, I use a catch can on our 6.1L Hemi and it catches a hole lot of blow-back oil/sludge. It is a very nice quality piece that is very easy to empty as the bottom section unscrews. made by Billet Technology... I was thinking of getting these for my 370z, but getting 2 seemed expensive.

By the way, a note for California cars... both these crankcase filters and catch-cans do NOT pass SMOG (visual insp.).

wstar · 05-20-2013, 06:36 AM

The only thing I don't like about the AOS idea is that it's not only oil vapor in that catch can. If you smell what builds up in there, there's a fair amount of condensed fuel and exhaust stuff as well from combustion blow-by. I mean, I guess that stuff's in the crankcase normally anyways, but it's usually in there in vapor form temporarily. You'd be dumping it back into your oil pan in liquid form, and it doesn't smell or feel like good oil should. I guess if you're just doing events and changing your oil before/after it wouldn't be enough to matter, but at the other end of spectrum I wouldn't want to do that on an extended-interval street car.

synolimit · 05-21-2013, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

The only thing I don't like about the AOS idea is that it's not only oil vapor in that catch can. If you smell what builds up in there, there's a fair amount of condensed fuel and exhaust stuff as well from combustion blow-by. I mean, I guess that stuff's in the crankcase normally anyways, but it's usually in there in vapor form temporarily. You'd be dumping it back into your oil pan in liquid form, and it doesn't smell or feel like good oil should. I guess if you're just doing events and changing your oil before/after it wouldn't be enough to matter, but at the other end of spectrum I wouldn't want to do that on an extended-interval street car.

You're right, its in there anyways. Same with condensation that condenses in the can. Every metal part will sweat. It's only in the hoses and in the AOS though for a second. It pukes out and drains right back in. There's no time for anything bad to happen. I ran this setup for 52,000 miles and my oil analysis's were perfect. I used Redline 5w30 at about 3000-3500 miles and they always told be try to go longer but stubborn me wanted to also keep it around 3k OCI.

G37sHKS · 05-21-2013, 07:33 AM

Did anybody tried to install oil catch can with GTM turbo kit?
I heard that NA oil catch can setup is different than turbo cars, if that is true then what oil catch can we should get?

synolimit · 05-21-2013, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G37sHKS

Did anybody tried to install oil catch can with GTM turbo kit?
I heard that NA oil catch can setup is different than turbo cars, if that is true then what oil catch can we should get?

I don't think the can would be different. Pressuring the manifold now under boost might change the layout with the PCV valve but nothing major. Search for setups here, I know I found a lot before I finally found this one for a NA.

RN SHARK · 09-17-2013, 08:41 PM

Found this old thread when installing my catch can in my SRT Jeep. It is definitely worth it on that car, but still unsure about the Z. Especially the price of two!

newls196 · 03-10-2016, 08:34 AM

any idea on part number of catch can.... i want to buy this exact setup

lastblueprint · 03-11-2016, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newls196

any idea on part number of catch can.... i want to buy this exact setup

S1 350Z OCC Page

Contact them and they will make you the same set up. there new cans are updated.

madeinjapan · 08-05-2016, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newls196

any idea on part number of catch can.... i want to buy this exact setup

S1 Oil Catch Can

newls196 · 03-11-2016, 01:14 PM

emailed them, thanks

newls196 · 03-23-2016, 03:38 PM

ordered, will be here in 6 weeks

370ZBlk · 06-20-2016, 12:43 PM

Subbed.

10-06-2012, 08:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	I don't think it would give a CEL really. You'd block off the PCV lines on the intake and vacuum sides (so no vacuum or intake path peaks for CELs), and run the lines from the valve covers to open air (probably with a simple filter). People do it on older V8's all the time (you see those tiny air filters they mount on the valve cover, that's their "PCV" straight to air). It would serve the basic purpose of not letting excess pressure build in the crankcase, and it would filter any air that was drawn inwards under conditions where the crankcase pressure goes negative. There are probably some subtle points being missed though (if nothing else, it might still be nice to have a pair of them with opposing one-ways so that you get some fresh-air exchange). I wouldn't recommend it just for all the subtle unknowns. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

10-06-2012, 08:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	(Here's a discussion about doing such a thing on an LS1, you can see some of the smaller points being debated there: Can you replace the PCV valve and line with 2 breather filters? - LS1TECH ) __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

10-06-2012, 05:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
icormba Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 113 Drives: GT350, 370Z, JeepSRT Rep Power: 15	Indeed, these are the little filters you see at the auto parts stores, called *crankcase filters*. Also, I use a catch can on our 6.1L Hemi and it catches a hole lot of blow-back oil/sludge. It is a very nice quality piece that is very easy to empty as the bottom section unscrews. made by Billet Technology... I was thinking of getting these for my 370z, but getting 2 seemed expensive. By the way, a note for California cars... both these crankcase filters and catch-cans do NOT pass SMOG (visual insp.). RN SHARK and DEpointfive0 like this.

05-20-2013, 06:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	The only thing I don't like about the AOS idea is that it's not only oil vapor in that catch can. If you smell what builds up in there, there's a fair amount of condensed fuel and exhaust stuff as well from combustion blow-by. I mean, I guess that stuff's in the crankcase normally anyways, but it's usually in there in vapor form temporarily. You'd be dumping it back into your oil pan in liquid form, and it doesn't smell or feel like good oil should. I guess if you're just doing events and changing your oil before/after it wouldn't be enough to matter, but at the other end of spectrum I wouldn't want to do that on an extended-interval street car. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

05-21-2013, 07:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
G37sHKS A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,183 Drives: 09 G37S Coupe 7AT Rep Power: 22	Did anybody tried to install oil catch can with GTM turbo kit? I heard that NA oil catch can setup is different than turbo cars, if that is true then what oil catch can we should get? __________________ G37 BUILD UNDER CONSTRUCTION

09-17-2013, 08:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
RN SHARK Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Delafield, WI Age: 46 Posts: 618 Drives: 09 370Z, 14 SRT GC Rep Power: 36	Found this old thread when installing my catch can in my SRT Jeep. It is definitely worth it on that car, but still unsure about the Z. Especially the price of two! __________________ ___________ '09 6sp/Z1/PowerTrix/SPL/Swift/SRP/Whiteline/F.I.LTH&CBE/UpRev by Seb/CJM/Stillen/Ings+1/RJM/TrackSpec/Sparco/Motul/Wavetrac/Coolerworx/Verus/CraftSquare '14 SRT Grand Cherokee; '08 TL Type-S

03-10-2016, 08:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
newls196 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 115 Drives: 2012 370z Rep Power: 11	any idea on part number of catch can.... i want to buy this exact setup __________________ 2012 370z 6MT "Sport Package" Z1 CSC, Z1 Test Pipes, ARK Catback, Injen CAI, SpeedBooster, Custom PCV Canister setup, Z1 dyno tune coming soon

03-11-2016, 01:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
newls196 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 115 Drives: 2012 370z Rep Power: 11	emailed them, thanks __________________ 2012 370z 6MT "Sport Package" Z1 CSC, Z1 Test Pipes, ARK Catback, Injen CAI, SpeedBooster, Custom PCV Canister setup, Z1 dyno tune coming soon

03-23-2016, 03:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
newls196 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 115 Drives: 2012 370z Rep Power: 11	ordered, will be here in 6 weeks __________________ 2012 370z 6MT "Sport Package" Z1 CSC, Z1 Test Pipes, ARK Catback, Injen CAI, SpeedBooster, Custom PCV Canister setup, Z1 dyno tune coming soon

06-20-2016, 12:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
370ZBlk Base Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: GA, USA Posts: 53 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 11	Subbed. __________________ -14 MB 370Z Touring Sport 6MT-

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