The "Catch Can" Explained - By Elite Engineering

[Joe@UPRproducts]

They do not remain clean and the intake and exhaust ports all suffer over time from the slow build-up of film that hardens and changes the shape and efficiency of the ports. This leads to poor airflow and turbulence which leads to the erosion of performance with inefficient combustion. Of course, playing devil's advocate you can say will my engine still runs and is at XXX, XXX mileage. The difference is you can break 1,000,000 miles with an engine equipped with a catch can and maintained properly that still runs strong. 

 

This is not a sales pitch, I'm only stating facts about the vehicles I've watched time and time again do incredible with properly functioning catch cans. Lastly, the biggest factor with properly functioning catch cans your engine will run cleaner and stronger with higher MPG and better overall performance. This only happens when you stop the oil that gets sucked through the PCV from being ingested and reducing combustion chamber efficiency and overall performance.

 

It's like trying to start a fire and misting a very fine spray of water on the flames at the same time.

 

This is the simplest way to explain the effects. I did not add the fact that oil can also cause pre-ignition and damage the piston rings and bearings at half throttle or higher loads when towing anything will absolutely take its toll over time. Depending on what you tow and how you drive it can take a few thousand miles to XXX,XXX to see and or feel the damage. Remember during this whole process you will have reduced power and efficiency from oil ingestion at any level as oil is not made to be burned with fuel nor is it meant to lubricate the moving parts in the air intake or combustion side of the engine. 

 

The PCV was simply a way for auto manufacturers to burn excess blow-by without any real emission effects or emitting anything the EPA would fail them for. It was only until the new found benefit of drawing the air through the PCV from a higher vacuum source that engine builders started to utilize this function for improved ring seal and cooler engine temperatures by sucking more fresh air through the motor. The only problem is they never accounted for the increased vacuum and oil that was being pulled/scavenged through the PCV system. This is why catch cans have become a cornerstone and have a solid purpose since the early 2000's.

 

Thinner walled catch can result in a small percentage of the water condensation collected on cans that are mounted in cooler locations to mask poor performance. The correct setup is to mount the catch can in a hotter location and deliver a true performance and let it get hot enough to evaporate the majority of the condensation/moisture that gets generated in the colder months. That is why UPR like to mount our Catch cans closer to the exhaust to reduce the frequency of checking and emptying the catch can and reducing the maintenance cycle as much as possible. 

 

UPR is always improving the filtration ratio between airflow vs air volume to fine tune the coalescing and condensing process. We do this because the OEM is demanded to increase MPG and Performance every year. So UPR must do the same to be sure we are always ahead of the curve and not just selling the same designs year after year. Hope this helps everyone understand the function of the PCV and REAL need for a catch can.       

 

UPRproducts - Delivering Solutions, Not Sales Pitches! ™

 

Thank you, Joe

 

Edited August 23, 2018 by JoeCCS
added to information

[EarlGrey]

They do not remain clean and the intake and exhaust ports all suffer over time from the slow build-up of film that hardens and changes the shape and efficiency of the ports. This leads to poor airflow and turbulence which leads to the erosion of performance with inefficient combustion. Of course, playing devil's advocate you can say will my engine still runs and is at XXX, XXX mileage. The difference is you can break 1,000,000 miles with an engine equipped with a catch can and maintained properly that still runs strong. 
 
This is not a sales pitch, I'm only stating facts about the vehicles I've watched time and time again do incredible with properly functioning catch cans. Lastly, the biggest factor with properly functioning catch cans your engine will run cleaner and stronger with higher MPG and better overall performance. This only happens when you stop the oil that gets sucked through the PCV from being ingested and reducing combustion chamber efficiency and overall performance.
 
It's like trying to start a fire and misting a very fine spray of water on the flames at the same time.
 
This is the simplest way to explain the effects. I did not add the fact that oil can also cause pre-ignition and damage the piston rings and bearings at half throttle or higher loads when towing anything will absolutely take its toll over time. Depending on what you tow and how you drive it can take a few thousand miles to XXX,XXX to see and or feel the damage. Remember during this whole process you will have reduced power and efficiency from oil ingestion at any level as oil is not made to be burned with fuel nor is it meant to lubricate the moving parts in the air intake or combustion side of the engine. 
 
The PCV was simply a way for auto manufacturers to burn excess blow-by without any real emission effects or emitting anything the EPA would fail them for. It was only until the new found benefit of drawing the air through the PCV from a higher vacuum source that engine builders started to utilize this function for improved ring seal and cooler engine temperatures by sucking more fresh air through the motor. The only problem is they never accounted for the increased vacuum and oil that was being pulled/scavenged through the PCV system. This is why catch cans have become a cornerstone and have a solid purpose since the early 2000's.
 
Thinner walled catch can result in a small percentage of the water condensation collected on cans that are mounted in cooler locations to mask poor performance. The correct setup is to mount the catch can in a hotter location and deliver a true performance and let it get hot enough to evaporate the majority of the condensation/moisture that gets generated in the colder months. That is why UPR like to mount our Catch cans closer to the exhaust to reduce the frequency of checking and emptying the catch can and reducing the maintenance cycle as much as possible. 
 
UPR is always improving the filtration ratio between airflow vs air volume to fine tune the coalescing and condensing process. We do this because the OEM is demanded to increase MPG and Performance every year. So UPR must do the same to be sure we are always ahead of the curve and not just selling the same designs year after year. Hope this helps everyone understand the function of the PCV and REAL need for a catch can.       
 
UPRproducts - Delivering Solutions, Not Sales Pitches! [emoji767]
 
Thank you, Joe
 

Hey! Thanks for that explanation!
What is the difference between UPR and UPRproducts (dot) com? Separate companies?
Any labor day promo codes to wait for?
Thanks

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[Joe@UPRproducts]

No problem 

 

UPR is going to have a Labor Day Special on all UPR Catch Can Systems. You can also PM me directly if you're ready.

 

UPRproducts.com is our website

And

UPR.comis a safety equipment company.

 

UPRproducts - Delivering Solutions, Not Sales Pitches! ™

 

Thank you, Joe

Edited August 23, 2018 by JoeCCS

[snoodcrusher]

Which is best, a single or dual valve system for a 2018 5.3?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Joe@UPRproducts]

The UPR Dual Valve Catch Can is the best option as you will be effectlively intercepting both lines that can and will ingest oil over time. Let me know when your ready as we are running offering a Labor day discount on all UPR Dual Valve Catch Can orders that get PM's through GM-Trucks forum.  9/3/18 to 9/7/18

 

Joe

[Elite Engineering]

As you have probably found, with all the misinformation, out there, and poorly designed Catch Cans, choosing the best performing Catch Can can be a confusing choice.
 
So, with that said, there is no more effective Catch Can on the market than the Elite Engineering E2 and Elite E2-X Catch Cans – Period!  We have tested for years, and we don't make this claim without proof.
 
Take the Elite Engineering Catch Can Challenge and verify for yourself.
 
Simply install an E2 or E2-X Catch Can inline AFTER any other Catch Can on the market and run for 1000 miles. Make sure both are cleaned and free of all oil and gunk first. Drain and measure and document what comes from each (our Catch Cans will have caught as much, if not more than the other Catch Cans, no matter their claims), this will show how much gets past the average can.
 
Now clean both again and reverse the order with our Catch Can first, and you will find almost nothing gets past it.  The E2 and E2-X trap 90-95% of the oil and other cans on average only trap from 15% to 30% max in most cases.  
 
Now, aside from being the most effective at stopping the oil mist and other contaminates that are present in the crankcase vapors, our catch cans also evacuate the crankcase at all times preventing pressure from ever building to begin with unlike a breather or vented that allows pressure to build and then vent to the atmosphere. (unless you have a broken ring or pinched ringland, etc.) and it actually removes most of the contaminates that enter as blow-by before they can settle and mix with your oil keeping the engine oil cleaner to better protect.
 
The suction always taking place on the crankcase helps maintain ring stability and prevent "ring flutter" and the wear it causes to pistons, rings, and cylinder walls. And finally, all Elite systems are designed to meet emissions requirements of a closed system. (no CA CARB cert yet)  
 
And finally, as knock retard is reduced substantially, fuel economy improves on average 1-3 MPG as optimum timing advance is maintained as oil causes detonation and also the rest of the contaminates present also affect the combustion process as far as efficiency.

 

[Crobinson16]

On 9/4/2018 at 2:54 PM, JoeCCS said:

The UPR Dual Valve Catch Can is the best option as you will be effectlively intercepting both lines that can and will ingest oil over time. Let me know when your ready as we are running offering a Labor day discount on all UPR Dual Valve Catch Can orders that get PM's through GM-Trucks forum.  9/3/18 to 9/7/18

 

Joe

Sent a PM 

[Rally_18]

Question whats the difference in the single valve catch can (two hose) versus the Dual valve (three hose) setup? Also whats everyones experience with warranty work with a catch can? My truck is an 18 5.3l that im considering adding one to. What is the best setup with the easiest install (prefer direct bolt on/no modification) thanks

[Crobinson16]

 I guess can post this to both Elite Engineering and to joeCCS at UPR . They both posted in this thread and seem to be at the top of the Catch Can world along with always willing to offer up there technical advise/results. 

 

I haven't looked into the full operation of either catch can . I was wanting to know what, where  and why are the check valves used/needed and curious as to if there could be a concern of seals gaskets blowing/leaking from pressure build up ?  I travel to upstate NY in the winter and the temps can be extremely cold. So I have a concern of condensation and freezing causing the CC to not operate correctly, and potentially cause ill effects such as blocked lines or frozen check valves that could cause a seal to blow or leak somewhere.

[Elite Engineering]

21 minutes ago, Crobinson16 said:

I haven't looked into the full operation of either catch can . I was wanting to know what, where  and why are the check valves used/needed and curious as to if there could be a concern of seals gaskets blowing/leaking from pressure build up ?  I travel to upstate NY in the winter and the temps can be extremely cold. So I have a concern of condensation and freezing causing the CC to not operate correctly, and potentially cause ill effects such as blocked lines or frozen check valves that could cause a seal to blow or leak somewhere.

 

We have offered the one-way check valves as an option for our Catch Can systems, it comes standard with the E2-X "Kits".   They splice into the Catch Can Exit side, and flow AWAY from the Catch Can.  This is to prevent any back flow through the PCV system and the Catch Can itself.

In addition, it allows the use of 2 separate evacuation suction sources. The intake manifold when (NA) at idle, cruise, and deceleration, and then switches to the area just upstream of the TB when accelerating and at WOT when there is no intake manifold vacuum present due to reversion pulses from cam lobe overlap.
 
These will automatically open and close as needed to always use the strongest suction source.  
 
These check valves are a nice feature, but really only needed in forced induction or turbo applications.

 

 

 

[Jim Schmidt]

Im going to order a catch can next week for my 14 5.3.  I noticed most kits come with the

rubber hose. Looks like it slips onto the engine (pvc) side port. My question is,where can

you get extra GM ends that are on both ends of the pcv line? The ends that clip on.

Thanks 

[Elite Engineering]

21 minutes ago, Jim Schmidt said:

Im going to order a catch can next week for my 14 5.3.  I noticed most kits come with the

rubber hose. Looks like it slips onto the engine (pvc) side port. My question is,where can

you get extra GM ends that are on both ends of the pcv line? The ends that clip on.

Thanks 

 

I think we used to stock these, let me see if I can find a part number

 

 

[Jim Schmidt]

Thanks, I like the way the factory fittings just clip on

[Elite Engineering]

35 minutes ago, Jim Schmidt said:

Thanks, I like the way the factory fittings just clip on

 

Yes, we're thinking about making these part of our GM Truck kits anyway

[snoodcrusher]

I've had my catch can on my 2018 1500 5.3 for almost a week (500 miles). I checked it today and had 2-3 ounces of fluid (oil) in the can. Also, my mileage has increased 0.3 mpg since installing the can. All driving has been the normal commute to work so I can't attribute it to anything other than the benefits of the catch can ???...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk