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LSX oil catch cans??

K85 Octane

K85 Octane

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Anyone know much about this topic? I just bought a catch can off eBay, so I plan to run one.

I've seen this subject come up before but it wasn't on my radar at the time. I don't recall any of the info unfortunately but I remember folks talking about how these LS motors like to suck oil through the PCV system. I tend to believe it now that I've had a chance to pull my intake off and look. It was so dirty with oil. The throttle body, runners, and even the first couple inches inside the head's intake runners. This is on an ~84k mile engine. I'm sure it's no big deal but since I'm messing around with it anyhow, mine as well see if I can stop it.

Most cans, including mine, have one inlet and one outlet. My engine has what appears to be two ports, one from each valve cover. Neither seem to have a PCV in line. So do I run a "Y" fitting so both of these lines enter the catch can and then back out to their respective intake ports? Isn't there suppose to be one suction side and one vented side? Like how my Blazer is. Now, the cool kids run the LS6 valley cover with upgraded PCV system. This by itself is an improvement, but in conjunction with a catch can is best. However, I don't feel like spending money on an LS6 cover. (nevermind I just sealed everything up with new gaskets) Just running a catch can is better than what the factory did.

Here are the two lines. Can anyone identify these nipples? :D








 
I could be wrong here, but I thought I read somewhere that the PCV valves were integrated in to the valve covers.? :dunno:
 
Catch cans are big among the new LS3 Camaro and Corvette crowd. A property assembled one with baffles will keep your intake oil free. But the ones in question are $200+. I'm sorry but they can keep it. The uninformed and big wallets are buying them by the truck load on the advice of the forum sponsors selling the cans...
I mean how many 200k, 300k mile LS engines are out there running just fine with out catch cans?

In a forced induction application they are more important though. Or a racing application which sees a lot of rpms frequently.

The way I see it, the likelihood is that you'll get bored with the base power of the 5.3 and end up pulling the intake again within a few years to make some upgrades in which you can clean it out again. Or maybe that's just me? :doah:
 
Dunno, thought it would be good for it. Seems like there was 1,000% more oil in the intake and runners than there was in my tired old 350 when I pulled it apart. The catch can cost me $21.03 shipped
 
Passenger side nipple is the air inlet and should have a filter(or be hooked to the intake tube) drivers side is the pcv valve and should go to the catch can,then the catch can is plumbed to the intake manifold.
:pimp:
 
Chevy305 said:
Catch cans are big among the new LS3 Camaro and Corvette crowd. A property assembled one with baffles will keep your intake oil free. But the ones in question are $200+. I'm sorry but they can keep it. The uninformed and big wallets are buying them by the truck load on the advice of the forum sponsors selling the cans...
I mean how many 200k, 300k mile LS engines are out there running just fine with out catch cans?

In a forced induction application they are more important though. Or a racing application which sees a lot of rpms frequently.

The way I see it, the likelihood is that you'll get bored with the base power of the 5.3 and end up pulling the intake again within a few years to make some upgrades in which you can clean it out again. Or maybe that's just me? :doah:
Click to expand...

LS motors do tend to suck oil into the intake, where by the design it can puddle up. A properly designed can will capture oil, but we're typically talking a few ounces over the course of an oil change cycle. When I turbo'd my Vette I put one on, just because the general consensus was that boost accelerated the oil consumption, and I didn't want risk engine damage. For stock-performing applications, if it needed a catch can it would probably have come with one. Not to mention if you live in an area that's anal about emissions equipment and requires visual, it is technically a modification to the factory emissions system. But since you have it it's not going to hurt anything, just don't forget to empty it periodically.
 
jake 03 said:
Passenger side nipple is the air inlet and should have a filter(or be hooked to the intake tube)
Click to expand...

Oddly enough, this port had oil in it too, just a little though. It enters between the TB and intake, so there is actually a cutout in the plastic for it and the O-ring gasket seals it. The placement almost looks like it would have more vacuum than pressure, much less staying neutral so it can suck into the crankcase. I'll see if I can mount small filter on it and cap off the intake.


paratrooper307 said:
LS motors do tend to suck oil into the intake, where by the design it can puddle up.
Click to expand...

Unless it's just a scam, which I always thought it was, I've heard from a few (3) owners that will get the Dealership's "intake cleaning" done periodically. They do this only after the engine starts idling funky. Snake oil, maybe. Psychological, maybe. Total BS from the dealership, probably. But I can't help think maybe it's the oil.

Like it's been said. How many people do any kind of cleaning. How many 100-300k mile motors are out there.

Chevy305 isn't helping either dammit :doah::haha: I need to finish the truck and start DDing it before changes are made. So temping though. Can NOT go into unmanageable debt :shame:
 
By all means run the catch can you already have. They will catch oil and prevent eventual buildup in the intake. Without a doubt I'd run one on a forced induction motor, but a stock truck engine? that's up to you. My only problem with catch cans is charging over $200 for something that could be made out of a beer can...
 
When I had my hemi 300c, it's a big thing in that crowd as well because the new hemis are terrible for it.
Essentially it's a a can with two ports with a ball of stainless wool at the top to make the oil drip down into the can. I know in those engines. In the span of an oil change it added up to about half a cup or so of oil. I was flabbergasted. Don't know if the ls's are the same but for the $100 they cost to get, I'd run another one.
 
We use LS engines in race cars at our shop. And for a race car that spends -most- of it's time at elevated rpms, I'd absolutely use one.

But for a street car, or truck, I'd skip it. We have multiple quarter million mile LS and 8.1 trucks at our shop with bone-stock intake systems.
 
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