Catch Can Debate

[wootwoot]

I have been wanting to install an oil catch can or oil separator on my FRS for sometime now. After lots of research and drawn out discourse, however, I am still not sure which unit is the best. Here are a few of the products in question and some comments on them. Perhaps we can begin a bit of a dialog on the subject in order to draw out some new information and expel some rumors regarding catch cans. Here we go.

The Crawford Performance AOS
http://store.crawfordperformance.com/store/products/652
I like this unit. I think it has a great placement because it keeps the plumbing as short as possible. I also like that it addresses the intake line as well as the PCV line so it does the work of a dual can. THis is great for those looking to go forced induction. I, like many others, am still not sure sending the blow-by back into the engine is the best idea. I understand it may not be all THAT detrimental, but it seems to me if we can catch the stuff and dispose of it we might as well. I guess if you were too lazy to service a normal catch can this would be the way to go. But for the best performance... I am not so sure.

Radium Catch Can
https://radiumauto.com/index.php?p=p...id=28&parent=0
Interesting design. I have been told that many people pick this unit because it was "flow" tested to ensure proper integration with the vacuum/PCV system. I am curious if (a) this is true, and (b) if it really makes a difference. I really like the integrated dip stick. I also like the fact that the unit unscrews in the middle for emptying. At the same time these clever additions make me worried that they may start leaking down the line. I am definitely not a fan of the "baffling." They use small mesh screens like the ones out of your house hold faucet head. I am sure they work but there isn't much surface area there.

Saikou Michi Catch Cans
http://www.saikoumichi.com/
These are hand made and built to order. You can get them in any configuration you can imagine. They also offer single and duel units of various sizes to fit nearly any set-up you may need. They also seem to be a great value. For baffling he uses stainless mesh which I am unsure about. It has a good deal of surface area but I am not sure how it would effect the flow of pressure going through the can. It also drains from the very bottom which would make servicing an issue with most installations.

The 42 Designs Catch Can
http://store.42draftdesigns.com/Oil-...Cans_c_71.html
I think this one may be my favorite at the moment. I particularly like the "stealth" model. The baffling seems very good to me. Lots of surface area to condense gas to liquid. The downside here is that if you plan to turbo or supercharge down the road you would most likely want a duel can and 42 designs doesn't make one. In that event, you would have to end up buying and mounting two (yielding the same protection as the Crawford unit). The Ultimate model has a dip stick which is nice for convenience but may start to leak down the road. I like that both these units drain on the front of the can making servicing much easier.

The Cusco Catch Can
Not to big of a fan of this one. No internal baffling. I am also not sure how to empty it. I do like the placement and the fact that it is car specific. I can't help but think it can't hold all that much liquid given its horizontal position.

Thoughts? Questions? Comments?

[JoeBoxer]

I'm surprised there aren't more application specific models, the Crawford is a tad overpriced imo and the Cusco doesn't seem to really do anything. I like the Saikou Michi one but i don't know the specifics to give him to get it built.

[number1Tango]

interested to see where this thread goes..

[Supermassive]

I'm looking at doing the Radium dual catch can setup, but I am going FI so it's just a matter of safety than anything else. The Radium setup just oozes quality too, the D3 setup is also nice and I might be swayed to try it out, but I really like how the Radium is setup versus all the open loop systems.

[BMWDavid]

Is a catch can even needed on a street car? My BRZ does not use any oil and I mean NO oil. The oil level at 5K miles on the oil was still right on the full mark dot.

That said what benefit would a catch can be?

[wootwoot]

Originally Posted by BMWDavid

Is a catch can even needed on a street car? My BRZ does not use any oil and I mean NO oil. The oil level at 5K miles on the oil was still right on the full mark dot.

That said what benefit would a catch can be?

I am not sure it is "needed," but it would catch the little blow-by you have. It may not be much, which is why you aren't using much oil, but there is bound to be some and it isn't the best thing for the motor. Call it cheap insurance. If you drive it hard on the street I think it would be prudent to have one. I also think it is a necessity on the track.

EVERYONE PLEASE: This is not a debate about the need for a catch can. This is a place to discuss the available catch cans and their designs. Threads have a way of going on tangents in this forum so lets try and keep things on track.

[2forme]

I have the Crawford AOS and it rattles like a mofo. I'm not the only one with this issue. Crawford has yet to address it, so I'd go with another model if I had to do it over again.

[ATL BRZ]

I run a Moroso: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=654722

Internal baffling, easy to drain, no rattles.

This picture, posted by Crawford Performance is why I installed one on my BRZ. They pulled apart a low mile FRS to find oil on the pistons. The car was still N/A as far as I know, but it had apparently been run very hard, but it was still enough to warrant the small cost.

[wootwoot]

I also like the moroso unit. It looks very simple and effective. It seems a bit small though. How often do you have to empty it?

[ichitaka05]

Wasn't there an oil catch can that had hose that connected to oil cap? I thought, one member here had one of those. iirc it wasn't cheap, but it looked pretty cool

[Spartan65]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Wasn't there an oil catch can that had hose that connected to oil cap? I thought, one member here had one of those. iirc it wasn't cheap, but it looked pretty cool

Grimm Speed has this one, I had it on my WRX wagon. but by the looks of it it may be a while before they adapts it to the BRZ/FRS/GT86

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Spartan65

Grimm Speed has this one, I had it on my WRX wagon. but by the looks of it it may be a while before they adapts it to the BRZ/FRS/GT86

No, that wasn't it.

I'm going through the treads like crazy to find that pic!

[ichitaka05]

I've freaking found the pics I was talking bout

[number1Tango]

after reading this thread and searching the net for reviews and watching videos, i am now going to buy a catch can haha. thanks to the OP for posting this, probably going to go with the Radium. can't believe the amount of crap that thing catches.