PDA

View Full Version : Do I need a Catch Can



416velle
10-08-2023, 06:52 PM
Howdy all. Question about oil catch cans. For background, a long time I'd been under the impression that "typically" high compression engines and forced-induction engines "need" catch cans.
The prior 6.0 I ran in my chevelle, I had the rings gapped for boost that it never got, on some forged pistons in a non-overbored 230K mile block. That thing needed a catch can (because it breathed like Lizzo trying the boston marathon) and had 12:1 compression, so that "solidified" my opinion.

Well now I have a 416LS3, 13-1/4:1 compression and makes 550-580hp at the tire, the rings are gapped tightly as it will NEVER see boost, and built a catch can. I have about 1200miles on the thing and when i cracked the drain plug to empty it, nothing came out. It was bone dry.

Is that an indication that a catch can is unnecessary?
My initial thought is if I get rid of it, I'd route the hoses to the intake tube before the throttle body so that it doesn't affect tuning much (if at all), and enough air is flowing through it at RPM for the venturi effect to evacuate the crankcase.
I don't really want a hose that goes to one of the ports on the intake but if I have to then I will.

Jimbo1367
10-25-2023, 01:44 AM
It Can’t hurt. Chances are it will pull some oil out from going into intake. The bigger question is which catch can works the best vs. cost. Best bang for the buck. I’ve heard great things about MightyMouse and good things about Moroso built cans.

Pedigry
10-25-2023, 07:09 AM
You could always run breathers instead of a catch can. That way you don't have to run hoses around the engine compartment. Most don't suggest plumbing it back into the intake. Even if you have little blowby, you are still putting some oily film into the motor, which is never great. I would just get some valve cover breathers off summit, slap them on there and call it a day.

TANKMASTERJ
12-16-2023, 12:12 PM
I'm running Radium Engineering catch cans on a big cam LS7 ported heads 580 at tire. I get a smidge of oil between oil changes . I do have a separate can for valve covers and a other on the valley. The valve cover can I get some oily condensate only.
But I like the way they look.
Radiums are billet aluminum. You can get 3 different sizes for your application or a carbon fiber can. Ver very nice gear compared to mighty mouse.
I also used the radium Engineering overflow catch can