Should I get a catch can?
Should I get a catch can? Per the video it looks like I now have blowby. Haven't pulled the plugs yet but I'm going to. Engine is a 383 LS1. 243 heads and Fast 90/90. Has the LS6 valley cover I believe. Been in the car 12 yrs. But only has around 10,000 miles on it. I'm not happy with the smoke considering it has that few miles. But that's life. Would a catch can help any? I haven't checked inside the intake yet but will do that also. Thanks.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 468
From: Seattle
big fan of catch cans in any scenario, turbo or NA. Mighty Mouse and Motion Raceworks both make great kits in various hose sizing and options.
Last edited by theunderlord; Apr 11, 2022 at 12:41 AM.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 370
Likes: 138
Could be the valve seals, maybe it’s moisture/condensation burning off, what type of oil have you been using? Years ago I had a older vehicles that had ring blow by and it looked like a exhaust pipe and would blow the dip stick tube out.
on my LS I use a catch can but it barely has anything in it. When I use a high shear oil like Motul 300v or 8100 x-cess.
on my LS I use a catch can but it barely has anything in it. When I use a high shear oil like Motul 300v or 8100 x-cess.
Last edited by jasons69chevelle; Apr 11, 2022 at 06:39 AM.
Could be the valve seals, maybe it’s moisture/condensation burning off, what type of oil have you been using? Years ago I had a older vehicles that had ring blow by and it looked like a exhaust pipe and would blow the dip stick tube out.
on my LS I use a catch can but it barely has anything in it. When I use a high shear oil like Motul 300v or 8100 x-cess.
on my LS I use a catch can but it barely has anything in it. When I use a high shear oil like Motul 300v or 8100 x-cess.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 370
Likes: 138
I use Valvoline VR1 Race oil. 10w-30. The high zinc. That's what the engine builder said to use. Tick Performance did the engine for me back in 2010. Its been in the car a long time but like I said only has about 10,000 miles on it. If I pull my dipstick out smoke is coming out the tube also.
Last edited by jasons69chevelle; Apr 11, 2022 at 09:51 AM.
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 714
From: Poplarville, MS
Valve stem seals are not going to stop blow by. It sounds like your piston rings are losing their seal. I would perform a cylinder lead down test.
Last edited by bbond105; Apr 11, 2022 at 10:57 PM.
Trending Topics
What you're seeing coming from the oil fill cap is to be expected in a crankcase venting scenario. Are you running a PCV system or venting the crankcase to atmosphere? Keep in mind that if you are using the intake manifold to pull air through the crankcase the smoke/moisture that you are seeing is going back into the engine pre-ignition which decreases the octane points of the air/fuel mixture to some degree. Also not uncommon to see smoke coming out of the dipstick tube but if you are having excessive blowby getting past the rings then you should see evidence of this comin from your tail pipe and on the spark plugs.
I'm a fan of breather cans!
Last edited by 01CamaroSSTx; Apr 11, 2022 at 02:11 PM.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Per the video it looks like I now have blowby. Haven't pulled the plugs yet but I'm going to. Engine is a 383 LS1. 243 heads and Fast 90/90. Has the LS6 valley cover I believe. Been in the car 12 yrs. But only has around 10,000 miles on it. I'm not happy with the smoke considering it has that few miles. But that's life. Would a catch can help any? I haven't checked inside the intake yet but will do that also. Thanks.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VzbyWvOixlI
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VzbyWvOixlI
Short answer, yes.
Long answer, yes.
Big fan of adding a catch can
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,291
Likes: 3,616
From: Central Cal.
The catch can debate is up to you, but FIRST I would address any oil consumption issues with your engine. A catch can ahead of doing that is nothing but a bandaid.
Keep in mind that hundreds of thousands of LS engines are getting by nicely without a catch can.
Is the PCV system perfect? NOPE.
Is oil in the intake a huge issue? Not really.
I bet most of the LS engines on the road have some oil pooled in the manifold and running quite nicely that way.
It is what it is.
Keep in mind that hundreds of thousands of LS engines are getting by nicely without a catch can.
Is the PCV system perfect? NOPE.
Is oil in the intake a huge issue? Not really.
I bet most of the LS engines on the road have some oil pooled in the manifold and running quite nicely that way.
It is what it is.
I live in TN which has similar in weather to NC, my car always does that especially as the weather is changing. Looks like its just burning off moisture, I get alot under my valve covers since I have a low temp thermostat and dont drive it very far at a time.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 442
Per the video it looks like I now have blowby. Haven't pulled the plugs yet but I'm going to. Engine is a 383 LS1. 243 heads and Fast 90/90. Has the LS6 valley cover I believe. Been in the car 12 yrs. But only has around 10,000 miles on it. I'm not happy with the smoke considering it has that few miles. But that's life. Would a catch can help any? I haven't checked inside the intake yet but will do that also. Thanks.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VzbyWvOixlI
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VzbyWvOixlI