After prototyping a makeshift oil/air separator and seeing how much oil collected from 300 miles worth of driving (over a week's time), I finally created what would hopefully be the final version of the oil/air separator (catch can).

I'll let the pics speak for themselves

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE INSTALLED PICS, MAYBE ON PAGE 2 OR SO



give me your opinions guys/gals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is the purpose of this oil/air separator?

 

just separates the oil from the air before it is reintroduced into the intake plenum (causes lots of gunks)

I spent over a day to clean the intake plenum the last time I took mine apart to replace the valve cover gasket, so I decided to try and keep it clean this time.

 

What would ya sell one for????

 

I would say 40 bucks plus shipping, and no, I won't make any profit, just trying to cover my cost (spent over 100 dollars for the parts and little things)

Forgot to mention, there is an 90 bend inside the can to keep the intake air pointed downward to maximize the oil being separated, and it also acts as added protection from direct intake to exhaust due to vacuum at higher speed.

 

surprisingly nice work! good job

 

Where are you gonna mount it? have any pics of it installed? I have to say good job though loooks good

 

Yea definately need some install pics and paint on it too...

 

I like it. I've been meaning to get my Home Depot one done sometime also. I get some 3-4000 rpm ping under load. Like to see if this would fix it. Darned JWT ecu.

 

Hey you beat me to it! J/K, your device looks pretty neat.

I was going to post pics of my catch can setup with instructions on how to install the hoses, etc, but got lazy and didn't get around to it. Looks like your catch can is wayyyy more elaborate and effective than mine. I only spent $25 on my setup and 20 bucks from that was for the catch can - one of those air compressor moisture separators. I was surprised at the amount of oil that gathered in 3 days.

 

Thanks all for the comments.

it's not painted yet, I just took quick snapshot right after I got done, so you can tell what kind of material it is being made out of.

I was actually toying with the idea of the air compressor thing, but the temperature grading for the cup is way too low, me having a black car doesn't help either, so I went ahead and created this thing, overkill, but I rather have my peace of mind.

As for the mounting location, I'm thinking of making a bracket that will be attached to the cannister that is mounted on the side of the driver's side strut tower, as that place has the most clearance, and I can easily run the hose from both the front and rear breather hoses.

Will post more pics after I have painted and mounted the thing.

 

it looks like a bong.

but very nice. you're very good at machining. smart. i would have no idea how to even think of that.

 

Just one question, what hapens to the oil collected??? Is here a means to get it boack to the pan or is it a non-factor? I would think that if it's enough to need a catch can that it might need to either be returned or refilled. (???)

 

Yes but we don't say that out loud...

 

the oil collected are dumped, it is considered waste oil since if there are no catch can in place, the oil will simply be mixed with the air and rerouted back into the intake manifold to be burnt off. This is the reason why the intake plenum is filled with gunk and crap when you take it out, not to mention it may lower the octane of your gas if the blow by is bad enough. In a healthy car, the amount of oil being extracted is not that great in an oil change interval (3k miles), but if your car happens to bad blow by, then the amount of oil is considerably greater, no worries though, simply top it off until the next oil change.

With that said, so far, most of the people who sets up catch can are amazed by the amount of oil collected, and keeping the engine from burning oil is a good thing to do.

as for the bong idea, the bottom needs to be sealed, and the top needs to be a screw on type so that you actually add "materials" inside

 

that looks good. I wish I had time to do stuff like that. get some pics up

 

Update:





From the pictures, you can tell where the mounting location will be, and what is needed to hook the system up.

THE HOSES ARE NOT GOING TO BE LIKE THAT, it's only for temporary demonstration purposes.

 

Love the fuel filter bracket. hehe Any plans to sell? Or a write up?

 

perfect fit too, though when the system is fully set up, I will have a thick rubber strap that will strap the catch can in place as the fuel filter bracket already has the "curvies" to accept such a contraption.

 

nice job man
and this will work with the VE30DE correct
sign me up!
-andy

 

I'm really hoping to be able to sell a couple of units, as I bought enough material for about 6-7 more, nothing much, just enough to cover my raw material/fuel cost, and maybe, just maybe, a little extra to fund my next project.

Now if someone could please do a vote on how much I should be selling each for, and anything below 40 is not acceptable, as the parts cost more than that already.

As for the VE engine, I need a picture of the engine compartment to be able to say for sure that if it will fit or not.

this particular one will fit the VG both auto and manual with or withough the fstb.

 

im not sure how much others will pay. but its a great design, id pay 50 for one. for all the materials youd buy and fabrication, its worth $50 to me.

 

Id buy one too. After looking at what builds up at 166K and 187K miles, Ive been contemplaiting making something like this too.

~Alex

 

$50 for one is more than reasonable. I have one question though, what is the bottom spigget for? Is it just a drain? What did you do with it? Just put a half turn valve on a hose?

 

hey,

which hose did you hook up to the catch can,

thanks,

ps: looks goods

 

I forgot to take a picture of the bottom, the barb fitting on the bottom of the catch can is only there to make sure it fits, the new improved version has a drain cap, so basically all you do to drain is unscrew the cap, let the oil drain out, then screw it back in.

maximagxe90, what do you mean what hose did I hook up to the catch can, do you mean what size, or do you mean which hose from the engine did I run up to the catch can? If you mean which size, then it's the same diameter as the outlet of the pcv valve, so it's a direct fit, no need to worry about using adaptors.

 

any body wee why this wouldnt work with the VE30DE?
the fuel filter is in the same area in the engine bay
and i think there is enough clearance for the hood to close
anybody disagree

id def pay 50$
how much does it weigh? for shipping
-andy

 

I don't see why it wouldn't fir the VE! My friend was over with his last night and we took a look at it and we both couldn't see why it wouldn't work. And we both agree that $50 is well worth it. Start building buddy!

 

How often would you have to drain one of these?

 

there's a gauge on the side, so you can tell when it will need to be drained.

the approximate weight for this unit is 1~2 pound, give or take a little, so I think shipping is not going to be that much.

Also to be noted is that when I send the unit out, it will not be painted, only sanded (my painting skill sucks).

Anybody who is interested, please PM me, and we can work out the details, school is starting the 1st, so if you want your unit fast, order must be made and paid for before this coming Tuesday, after that, I can only make the unit on Friday of every week.

After the vote (sorta), and recalculation of material cost, the final price will be 50 bucks a pop plus shipping.

Thank you all for your input, and feedback.

 

Some more update of MY unit, leak tested, mothers approve errrr... I mean my car approves:






This image shows off the new drain valve, screws on, screws off, simple see?

all the pictures will show off my lack of painting skillz

The more I stare at it, the more it reminds me of a fire hydrant

 

neat. it is art.

 

just a thought. consider putting a small gate valve on it so you wouldn't have to worry about oil spilling over when you drain it?

 

Thats the same thing I was thinking! Put a half turn valve and then run a length of hose to the bottom of you engine compartment for easy emptying. Throw a bucket under it and crack the valve. Done! Just a thought!

 

rest assured, that idea did cross my head. However, I was tight on budget and that's the simplest and cheapest thing that I can come up with. Future version will come with drainc o c k. My sis drives a 94 toyota corolla, I think I will make one for her as well, and might post pics of that one.