All of the testing, prototyping and production are done and the final product is here.
As most of you know, we are seeing an increasing amount of oil residue in the intake tracts, turbos, charge tubes and intercoolers. We have encountered this problem with the boosted engines in the Solstice, Sky and Opel GT. The oil residue that is showing up in the intake tract over time starts to work its way through the turbo, into the intake pipes and intercooler. As the oil coats the inside of the intercooler, performance starts to decrease. Also this residue can build up on the MAF sensor (2.4L Supercharged or Turbo) the MAP sensor (2.0L) and also deposit on the valves of the engine. The factory did try to integrate a way to catch this oil in the 2.0L cars into the valve cover, but we have still been seeing the oil residue on even stock cars.
Most people do not know why they need a catch can on their cars, and the simple answer is pressure. As the combustion process happens in the cylinders a certain amount of blow by happens, which along with other factors builds up pressure inside of the valve cover. This pressure needs a place to go, and so the factory has air lines designed to get air into the valve cover and out. Air does not travel in and out at the same time, so in the 2.0L cars there is a check valve on one tube to only allow air to go in, and then an integrated baffle in the valve cover to help collect the oil vapor present when the air leaves the valve cover. Unfortunately this check valve is leaking on some cars and allowing oil to collect in the intake tract. Other tuned cars that are producing more power than stock have more blow by and thus create even more pressure in the valve cover and make the condition worse.
What we came up with to resolve this problem is a simple catch can made specifically for the cars, that bolts in simply using stock mounting points. The box is packed internally with stainless steel mesh to help the oil collect in the box, and with a huge capacity of almost 3/4 quart, you will not need to empty the can very often. The integrated sight glass on each catch can will let you know when it is getting full and the removable drain plug allows simple draining.
We recommend hooking the catch can up to the line coming off of the plastic intake that goes to the middle of the valve cover on most cars. This line is the one with the integrated check valve in it. The way this works is that without that check valve in place air can go in both directions through the catch can, which allows 2 paths for the valve cover to get air in and out. This allows the stock integrated baffle system in the valve cover to catch the oil vapor, and the catch can catches the other vapor. Some highly modified cars may need to run both lines from the valve cover through the catch can, but the above setup works with most stock turbo cars.
Price is $140 for the catch can.
First 20 people that use the coupon code -
KAPCAN get $20 off of their order
Link to order -
http://www.ddmworks.com/solstice/engine/oil_catch_can.htmlLet me know if you have any other questions!
Dave
Below is a picture of a pre-production install - actual catch cans are just a bit different, I will get some pics up very soon of a production install.
