Oil/Air Separators

[Guest Big Mick]

I got a price from autobarn of $129 for a unit that was about 8" high and 4" in diameter (probably a bit big). It also had a "level indicator" on the outside.

I had a quick look in the engine compartment and the only place I can see to fit on the passenger side is next to the air cleaner box. However, this would be lower than the rocker cover outlet and I'm sure I read somewhere that it's not a good idea to mount the thing too low.

There's obviously more room on the drivers side, so I'm thinking maybe above the turbo and associated heat shielding by fabricating a bracket from maybe the rocker cover. This is also in a good position to drain the oil back to the sump using Micks (ms700) idea of tapping into the oil return from the turbo if that proves feasible.

Regarding connections, I need to disconnect the existing pipe and measure the internal diameter to ascertain the required diameter of the fittings on the catch can. The outside diameter of the pipe looks to be about 8-10mm, although the fittings at either end are larger, so maybe there might be a compromise. Just needs a little investigative work.

Mick

[geea]

I got a price from autobarn of $129 for a unit that was about 8" high and 4" in diameter (probably a bit big). It also had a "level indicator" on the outside.

I had a quick look in the engine compartment and the only place I can see to fit on the passenger side is next to the air cleaner box. However, this would be lower than the rocker cover outlet and I'm sure I read somewhere that it's not a good idea to mount the thing too low.

There's obviously more room on the drivers side, so I'm thinking maybe above the turbo and associated heat shielding by fabricating a bracket from maybe the rocker cover. This is also in a good position to drain the oil back to the sump using Micks (ms700) idea of tapping into the oil return from the turbo if that proves feasible.

Regarding connections, I need to disconnect the existing pipe and measure the internal diameter to ascertain the required diameter of the fittings on the catch can. The outside diameter of the pipe looks to be about 8-10mm, although the fittings at either end are larger, so maybe there might be a compromise. Just needs a little investigative work.

Mick

Mick you might want to give autobarn at Chadstone a ring. I saw a couple there and they sound like what you described. They were all $69.95 I believe. If they are usually $129 I'll go back tomorrow and get one.

Maybe we could install them together. I think you probably have alot more of an idea than I do. I could probably use your help.

Geea.

[Guest Big Mick]

Mick you might want to give autobarn at Chadstone a ring. I saw a couple there and they sound like what you described. They were all $69.95 I believe. If they are usually $129 I'll go back tomorrow and get one.

Maybe we could install them together. I think you probably have alot more of an idea than I do. I could probably use your help.

Geea.

I think more investigation is required to get the right unit and at the right price. Unfortunately, I won't get much of a chance to have a good look at the fittings until the weekend.

Yeah that's a good idea to do the install at the same time. I know of someone else how is also keen so it could be three at the same time. Geeez, it could be the blind leading the blind, leading the blind.. :lol:

Mick

[macka'sxr6t]

Hi guy's,

If you know someone handy with a welder you should be able to make a catch can pretty cheap. Here's some info you might find handy.

Good work Big Mick, I'd say they should be a standard item from the tuners when they increase the boost. Of even Ford for that matter. Nearly all high performance turbo cars have them.

macka

DIY_Oil_Catch_Can.doc

[turbotrana]

that's a good article but use a TIG for the welds rather than a MIG like was used. Use stainless steel steel pads or the courser scrubbing pads and pack heaps of it in. Tap it into the turbo drain back would be the easiest. Not alot of oil would drain back. I wouldn't vent it into the engine bay as it does/can make a mess. Definately a must do mod for hiperf turbo engines

[macka'sxr6t]

Turbotrana,

This was just simple example of how to go about making one for the members who would like to make their own.

Depends on how good a work shop you've got at home as to what method you use to weld it up. I would prefer to make it out of Aluminium. After the catch can has done it's job you should be able to vent it back into the intake system again.

[geea]

I have just been surfing looking for oil/air separators. Bloody hell there are heaps of different kinds. Alot call them "catch cans". Every other performance turbo on the market seems to use these. How come it has taken us nearly 2 years to figure out we need it. It sounds like it would actually make a difference on hard driven cars. Is this the case or is it a mod we dont really need.

Geea.

[turb06]

Geea, I think its the sort of mod you do after you have done all the common power gain mods, like exhaust, intake. chip, boost, etc. It would be a very good idea for you to run one since you have a pretty powerful car as it is, and they are fairly cost effective, I wouldnt be surprised if you need a retune after its all setup too, with the change in intake air quality you might find a tenth out of it, maybe more you never know.

I am going to speak with a local performance tuner in toowoomba and ask about what size catch can to use and get him to make one that will fit in the engine bay, it will be a vented one simply because its cheaper to install and still just as effective, they take ages to fill up and I usually pop the hood once a week anyway to have a look around, I will post more after I speak to him.

[Guest Big Mick]

How come it has taken us nearly 2 years to figure out we need it. It sounds like it would actually make a difference on hard driven cars. Is this the case or is it a mod we dont really need.

that's a bloody good question Geea. Maybe it's because most of us have never had a performance turbe car before now.

I only investigated it after I saw the oil in the intake piping of my car and it then started to make sense with the pinging issues some people are having.

Until it's tried we won't know if it's a worthwile mod or not.

turbo06, I don't know about the extra tenth, but geez it's a nice thought....

After some more thought on the installation of one, I'm not going to plumb an oil drain back initially just for ease of installation (Also need to check if the oil return from the turbo just goes to the sump or returns into the block. If there is too much pressure in this line it will cause problems). As long as I get a unit with a level indicator it will be quite easy to keep an eye on it.

Will also be venting the unit back into the inlet so as to keep things legal and reduce an possible issues of oil getting into the engine bay.

Again, just my thoughts. If any part of my theory is wrong please let me know.

Cheers,

Mick

[Guest]

Instead of having fridge magnets from FordXR6Turbo.com,why dont we get a catchcan made for us ?We all need..WANT one,if we orderd 3000 off some mobb made out of polished alloy ,made specifically for the T,what could it cost

What do ya reckon???