Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

I've been shopping around for a sealed, inline PCV oil catch can for us, but there are only two pricey units available from suppliers. The $90 Greddy and the $100+ Cusco catchcans. Both should work okay, but are somewhat pricey for their simple function. These are basically a can with an inlet and outlet tube nipple, nothing more.

I decided to make my own from readily available parts you can find at your local hardware store. I bought all of my parts at Home Depot.

Catch-can Photo 1
Catch-can Photo 2
Catch-can Photo 3
Catch-can Photo 4
Catch-can Photo 5
Catch-can Photo 6
Catch-can Photo 7

Parts list:

1 each, paint can, empty. 1-quart size ($1.29)
2 each, 3/8" hose barb to 1/4" male threaded adapter, brass. (about $1.50)
2 each, 1/4" female threaded coupler, brass. (about $1.50)
4 each, 1/2" flat washers, zinc plated. ($0.35)
5 feet, of 3/8" hose ($0.50/ft)
RTV silicone

Simply drill two 1/2" holes in the lid of the can, far apart enough so that the washers don't touch eachother. These washers are needed to shim the threaded section of the hose barb, and also help to reinforce the sheetmetal lid. I put a small amount of silicone RTV under each inside washer to help seal the hole once the two brass parts are screwed together. The paint can seals very well as-is, but you could also use some RTV on the lid if you feel it is necessary.

Once I get this installed, I'll take some more pics of where I mounted it. There are all kinds of places to put it. Total cost was around $10, and it should perform just the same as the pricey units out there.

I knew some of you guys needed a fun project on a budget, so here you go!



Tony

FEAR THE LS1

iTrader: (1)

Pretty Damn Cool! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

I am going to build this this weekend!

Nice work.

Lee

WicketMike

iTrader: (13)

damn,

nice Tony
now you just need to mass produce them and sell them for $100 like the other ones and become super rich <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" />

Predator

I'm almost ready to address this issue.

That's pretty tough to beat Tony: only ten bucks, plus it looks great too.

Thanks so much.

LS1x2

iTrader: (11)

I've got a similar setup that steve frank did. It's done with PCV pipe and tubing with fittings. Nice thing is that the part where the hose goes from the can to the intake is much higher than where the oil/air comes into the can. I would think this would allow the oil too drop in most cases where the air can be sucked into the motor.
Hope that made sense. It's a $10 type setup too.

Reckless

iTrader: (9)

Pretty resourceful Tony. I'm like you...I'd rather fabricate something...it's more fun when YOU make it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

I used a Moroso Radiator Overflow Can, pop riveted a plumbing calmp to the strut tower, and used regular black hose and brass fittings.

I would post pic's but I don't have a Win98 OS on my PC, and my old digital camera doesn't have drivers for XP <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Oh yeah, when you drill the lid with that 1/2" drill bit, just set the lid on a scrap piece of wood and drill it very, very slowly. Since the metal is thin, you basically want to "wear" the metal out until it goes thru. Otherwise, the bit might just rip thru it and go up the spiral, not leaving you with a clean 1/2" hole

Joe, I looked into a PVC pipe one, but it just appeared more clunky for me and I liked the simple can. I fully understand the difference in inlet heights you describe though, good idea!

Todd, I'll be using the clear hose to test it out. Once I know if it works or not, I'll get some black hose to replace the clear stuff.

Mike, I'd rather not make/sell 100s of these things. Might cut into my social life <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

-Tony

Dope

iTrader: (2)

Very nice Tony!

Dope

M_Minnick

iTrader: (1)

How about putting a petcock on the bottom for draining the oil?

Mike

ShadowZ28

Well Tony when you figure out wheter or not it works let us know. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I'd love to make one for my car.

Thanks
Joe <img border="0" alt="[Camaro]" title="" src="graemlins/camaro.gif" />

DG Gordon

I made this exact same setup about a month ago. I looked at it the other day and the can was clapsed and it had about 1 inch of oil in it. I couldnt believe it sucked the can it like it did but it is still working. I went racing the night before I checked it and the next morning the car was over 1 qt. low and the can was sucked in big time.

DG Gordon

Oh and the clear web hose is the only hose out there strong enough not to calapse. I tried 2 or 3 different hoses and they were not strong enough.

justin sutton

Hey I built my own also it is stainless and looks great.I would post a pic but dont know how.I can send you a pic if you email me.I will sell these cheap.

MIGHTYMOUSE

iTrader: (59)

looks good, i imagine it will work as good as those high dollar set ups.

i have found that the problem is the oil mist running through the lines, not so much the liquid. so if you had some sort of condensor, like a screen between the 2 sides for oil to collect on, it will work much better.

not to shoot down this idea, but i cant help but wonder why this is getting big response compared to the idea i copied from others and laid out for everyone to do here:

https://ls1tech.com/ubb/ultimatebb.p...=002972#000003

maybe just a bit too invovled for an afternoon tinkering session for some? i think it is absoultely great. and the vaccum i get in the crankcase at wot is a huge bonus for free hp <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

770Guy

This is a stupid question, but what exactly does that do? and what is the PCV?

nthnwbr

Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)

It is a system that uses manifold vacuum to suck combustion gasses and pressure out of the crankcase. But the LS1 PCV system was very poorly designed, so it tends to suck alot of oil out also. The catch cans they are building trap the excess oil before it gets sucked into the intake manifold, where it either goes into the combustion chamber and gets burned (very bad for performance), or forms puddles in the intake.

wicked 98z

For yall lazy people you can get a made one for $65. Not a bad profit. I could cut a day or two out of my social life to make some.

http://www.freewebs.com/soslo/foreman_oilcatch.htm

ALbert

justin sutton

I build them for $45.00 out if stainless.It has everything clear hose,bracket to mount,& drain valve.I would post a pic but dont know how.If anyone is interested email me onekwik02ss@yahoo.com

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Young PCV catch-can entrepreneurs are coming out of the woodworks!

<img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" />

NastySSoo

Im really interested in trying something, but honestly Im not sure which remedy to try!Please let us know how it works out Tony, and Id love to see some pics!I really dont think I can be losing a Qt. every 600 miles thru the PCV do you guys?I notice when Im at the track, I get less smoke with each pass. My first pass always smokes the most!That makes me think it is somehow related to the intake. This is the only issue that bothers me with my LS1!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />