Catch can: Thinktank/Diy/Progress

[utekineir]

With the dawn of the >$400 catch can era for this platform I've been thinking about how make my own beyond just throwing a couple hoses into a container with some steel wool. Lets be honest, a catch can in a nutshell is a container that allows vapor to condense, ideally without significantly restricting flow of the air passing through. Not exactly black magic, complicated or beyond diy. Despite marketing claims there really isn't exactly a lot of complicated engineering involved.

In the past on other vehicles I've bought $200+ can solutions at the drop of a hat only to cry when inspecting the product that arrived and cry even more when changing platforms and having a proprietary turd to resell at a loss.

This time around the goal is not to punch my wallet in the ****.

Ideally this thread can/will/might be a diy/thinktank on creating a homemade can solution that leaves more money on the table for mods, track time, midget hookers or whatever you're into.

This thread was the inspiration and looks perfectly viable to replicate. But after standing around the plumbing aisle of home depot I came away with a bit different items.

The items below are subject to change and become more detailed as progress is made.

1.5" pvc y pipe
3 1.5"x3/4" bushings
1 3/4" plug
2 3/4" threaded fittings with barbs
2 size appropriate barb couplers
6 appropriate hose clamps
2 1.5" od strainers
2 1.5" snap in strainers
bracket
condensing filter media aka some sort of scrubbing pad
appropriate diameter oil safe hose
teflon tape
pvc cement and primer













Condensing media will go in each basket.

Final item will be cleaned up and painted black.

Locations have yet to be determined, in a dual can setup I'm leaning toward passenger side can attached to the strut bar, drivers side location hasn't been established.

Thoughts/Criticisms/improvements/troll pics welcome.

[FRSfan111]

personally I'm throwing a radium in my car. I just like the looks/functionality over building something for my new car. However I applaud the effort and will be watching this. I am teaming up with my roommate to do a DIY catch can similar to this for his 94 legacy turbo. I love building things. so we are quite excited to make a trip to home depot tonight. If you don't mind I'll post pics of our progress ect once we get started. Share ideas and such. Cheers!

[FRSfan111]

I'm trying to think of some kind of drain for the oil that leads away from the bottom with a switch to open it up for maintenance. possibly run the drain plug through the bottom passenger side by the fender next to the factory water drain plug. also might add this function to my radium can if we're successful. FRS has the same drain in the same location as he does. just an idea at this point.

[that_guy]

Sorry, had to!

But seriously, I applaud you going the extra mile and making something yourself. Creativity is what continues to bring new innovative ideas to this platform.

Interested to see how this works out for you!

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by FRSfan111

personally I'm throwing a radium in my car. I just like the looks/functionality over building something for my new car. However I applaud the effort and will be watching this. I am teaming up with my roommate to do a DIY catch can similar to this for his 94 legacy turbo. I love building things. so we are quite excited to make a trip to home depot tonight. If you don't mind I'll post pics of our progress ect once we get started. Share ideas and such. Cheers!

Join on in, I'm up for any sort of ideas in here.

Originally Posted by FRSfan111

I'm trying to think of some kind of drain for the oil that leads away from the bottom with a switch to open it up for maintenance. possibly run the drain plug through the bottom passenger side by the fender next to the factory water drain plug. also might add this function to my radium can if we're successful. FRS has the same drain in the same location as he does. just an idea at this point.

Would be easily doable. Basically what you're talking about is a valve at the bottom with a hose on the end. Thing is with this car the under trays will get in the way, and i don't really want to make a mess anywhere, if i was looking to make a mess a hose can just be run down without a the can. I may end up going with a valve in place of the plug, it could go either way atm.

In the past I've had cans where you basically put a container below and open the valve. Sometimes this may require having a bracket that can be loosened to create space.

Kinda like a fuel filter that you have to drain on an older diesel. Speaking of which, wonder how one of those would work as a catch can? I mean its kinda perfect, metal container, angled barbs, drain, media inside.

[FRSfan111]

like literally use an oil filter, hmm.. logically would be good. just need a hollow peace of metal to screw it too then use maybe a cylinder of metal or pvc with 2 pcv valves on top.


but the drain im talking about is easily accessible with the car all assembled skid plate and all. the key would be putting the valve close to the bottom of the catch can so its easy to reach inside the engine bay. ill post pics next time im under the hood.

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by FRSfan111

like literally use an oil filter, hmm.. logically would be good. just need a hollow peace of metal to screw it too then use maybe a cylinder of metal or pvc with 2 pcv valves on top.


but the drain im talking about is easily accessible with the car all assembled skid plate and all. the key would be putting the valve close to the bottom of the catch can so its easy to reach inside the engine bay. ill post pics next time im under the hood.

Fuel filter actually, this is what my 02 tdi used (alh engine) it just sat in a bracket, every so often you'd raise it up, open the valve and drain out the water. Problem with this particular can though is 1) not entirely cheap if lifespan isn't long (think they're around $30 each 2) tubing fittings may be a bit on the narrow side for avoiding restriction.



If i'm going to buy anything for >$100 i really like the look of the mann provent cans. Oem/commercial engineering and development > machine shop. The idea of having the relief valves is very nice.

Problem with running the hose down is you either spray the ground which is a **** move i'm trying to avoid, or you have to go under with a pan for every drain, which isn't terrible if you keep a nice wide catch pan around. It is perfectly viable and easily doable though. Another way may be just to have the hose be removable, put the pan into position, drop the hose down, place over drain and open, remove hose when done. My easiest experiences have been when there is space below to put a small container, and access to a valve.

The one thing i never liked about the cans with valves I had was the speed to drain, and that the small valves could get gummed up over time. The plug is my solution to this, may be a bit messier. But realistically i'll only be draining at home in the garage and can throw on a latex glove and grab a socket and ratchet.

I had a vta can once that you were supposed to completely unhook, remove the filter and pour out the top to drain. Eventually i drilled a bigger hole in the "baffle" and would stick a syringe with a tube down to drain.

[utekineir]

Possible locations, plenty of spots for having 2 cans like done with the radium setup. Behind drivers headlight also may be possible with a reduction in overall height.

[FRSfan111]

I agree on the valve getting gummed up. I keep 2 pans cause I do my own oil changes.

[utekineir]

Cleanout traps instead of reducing bushings, should allow for larger basket volume, and replacement of media.

[ProjectD]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Sub'd.