To many don't understand the need for a proper oil seperating catch can, so here is a short explanation as to why you don't want that oil entering your combustion chamber:

GM in their design accepts oil in the intake, but there is nothing good that comes w/it.

1. You want only air & fuel in the combustion chamber, oil does not burn well and any oil included in the intake air charge will result in less energy released per explosion, and it also reduces the useable octane of the fuel your using....resulting in detonation and less power & less fuel economy.

2. The oil does not burn completely and leaves a deposit that builds up on your piston tops & valves. This causes the burn to be uneven & results in hot-spots on the piston top, and the deposits on the valves reduces the velocity, or volumetric efficiency again negatively affecting power.

3. The carbon buildup left by the oil is a very hard & abrasive compound that as small pieces break off can be caught between the cyl wall & piston causing score marks and shortened engine life.

So no!!! Nothing good comes from oil in the intake, but to meet emission requirements GM & every other manufacturer of engines accepts it as a side effect of a closed crankcase ventilation system. A good, proper working oil separating catch can is the only good solution.

 

So is the LS3 PCV system better than the previous iterations? i.e. would I benefit notably from swapping the can I got from you on my old LS1 to my new cammed LS3?

 

LS3 is slightly better, but I see no benifit in swapping for that reason.

 

Yup. I have an 03' Lightning that does the same crap. I notice the residue coming from the tube that leaves the cold air intake elbow to the throttle body. Haven't found a good catch can for it. All I can find is a little oil seperator, that looks like it won't do anything besides me emptying it out every week. Thunder racing makes an awesome catch can for the F-Bodies.

 

valve cover breathers... just change that oil at regular maintenance intervals (3000 miles).