Catch Cans - Do They Really Do Anything Beneficial?

[Junkyard Dog]

If lack of a catch can really causes a carbon build up on the back of the intake valves, then we could just install breathers on the valve covers like everybody did back in the 60s, 70s, 80s and into the 90s on our older cars to relieve the pressure and let condensation go to the atmosphere. Much simpler. Isolates these fumes and their "gunk" entirely from the intake.

The PCV is an emissions thing, like catalytic converters.

EDITED TO ADD

Some actually do this:

Sponsored

 

[Zig]

If lack of a catch can really causes a carbon build up on the back of the intake valves, then we could just install breathers on the valve covers like everybody did back in the 60s, 70s, 80s and into the 90s on our older cars to relieve the pressure and let condensation go to the atmosphere. Much simpler. Isolates these fumes and their "gunk" entirely from the intake.

The PCV is an emissions thing, like catalytic converters.

EDITED TO ADD

Some actually do this:

In other words, is the reduction in performance offset by the reduction in emissions? At stoichiometric how dirty is it really? Can cats be used to generate electricity?

 

[DarkMatterGrey]

If lack of a catch can really causes a carbon build up on the back of the intake valves, then we could just install breathers on the valve covers like everybody did back in the 60s, 70s, 80s and into the 90s on our older cars to relieve the pressure and let condensation go to the atmosphere. Much simpler. Isolates these fumes and their "gunk" entirely from the intake.

The PCV is an emissions thing, like catalytic converters.

EDITED TO ADDn

Some actually do this:

I guess you need to look at your goals then too. How about shoehorning a Gen 4 coyote into a Tesla (or conversely a Plaid Tri-motor into an S650) and call it the “Mach-E-Avelian”.

But here on Terra Firma, it is not a question of is gunk bad, It’s a question of how much is bad. I’m sure a little won’t hurt just as much as I’m sure a lot will hurt. That’s not the question I have.

I pulled my PCV hose and saw oil in it. The only way for me to know how much I’m getting is to get a catch can. It was basically the price of a diagnostic fee.

I weighed my risk/reward and cost/benefit as well as how much I actually do like wrenching on all my vehicles and determined it is right for me. Not 100/0, more like 60/40.

 

[Gojiras breath]

DarkMatterGrey
That makes sense. You have to install one to find out if you need one.

 

[Zig]

If lack of a catch can really causes a carbon build up on the back of the intake valves, then we could just install breathers on the valve covers like everybody did back in the 60s, 70s, 80s and into the 90s on our older cars to relieve the pressure and let condensation go to the atmosphere. Much simpler. Isolates these fumes and their "gunk" entirely from the intake.

The PCV is an emissions thing, like catalytic converters.

EDITED TO ADD

Some actually do this:

As in if it does do more than produce condensation sludge where are all of the images that show

this:

to that:

 

[Guusgeluk]

Just to share, i did find out myself a catchcan does indeed a good job. Only after about 800 km (mostly city traffic) i can see result. Happy i did this(easy) modification.

 

[MCS]

This conversation has really evolved beyond just "Does it do anything" and seems to have incorporated personal preferences in here.

I have them; and have had them on both my boosted S550 and my S650 DH. I empty my passenger side out every couple thousand km and I do see accumulation in there. The driver side is pretty well clean so I may not have needed that one to be honest.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I consistently hear and see the catch cans labelled as Driver = Clean Side and Passenger = Dirty Side.

If I did get one, I’d just get passenger side so dipstick access isn’t compromised.

I’m still not sure if I’ll get one.

I see pics of benefits…..is there any true downsides to getting one? Will it throw codes? Does it impact anything it shouldn’t? I know Ford endorses the use of them. I wish they made them like they did for the S550 where they drain back into the engine and don’t need maintenance.

 

[135Hoser]

is there any true downsides to getting one? Will it throw codes?

I know Ford endorses the use of them.

The only downside to a quality catch can properly installed is it briefly dinging your wallet.

 

[Frogdog1]

I consistently hear and see the catch cans labelled as Driver = Clean Side and Passenger = Dirty Side.

If I did get one, I’d just get passenger side so dipstick access isn’t compromised.

I’m still not sure if I’ll get one.

I see pics of benefits…..is there any true downsides to getting one? Will it throw codes? Does it impact anything it shouldn’t? I know Ford endorses the use of them. I wish they made them like they did for the S550 where they drain back into the engine and don’t need maintenance.

I have a J&L catch can on my 2025, on the passenger side. It mounts on the driver's side out of the way. In a couple thousand miles, I emptied it and there was a little gunk in it.

Checking it is very quick and easy. It has not thrown any codes. I suggest you look at some YouTubes about them. Installing this J&L takes about 10 minutes. I don't want gunk like I saw going back into the intake of my Coyote. Ford makes them for a reason too.

 

[Guusgeluk]

I consistently hear and see the catch cans labelled as Driver = Clean Side and Passenger = Dirty Side.

If I did get one, I’d just get passenger side so dipstick access isn’t compromised.

I’m still not sure if I’ll get one.

I see pics of benefits…..is there any true downsides to getting one? Will it throw codes? Does it impact anything it shouldn’t? I know Ford endorses the use of them. I wish they made them like they did for the S550 where they drain back into the engine and don’t need maintenance.

No codes

I consistently hear and see the catch cans labelled as Driver = Clean Side and Passenger = Dirty Side.

If I did get one, I’d just get passenger side so dipstick access isn’t compromised.

I’m still not sure if I’ll get one.

I see pics of benefits…..is there any true downsides to getting one? Will it throw codes? Does it impact anything it shouldn’t? I know Ford endorses the use of them. I wish they made them like they did for the S550 where they drain back into the engine and don’t need maintenance.

No DTC (codes) at all, i used the Mischimoto catchcan, clean and easy install on passenger side on a GT 2021.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Sounds good! Though I’ve been down so many rabbit holes of research on this car, I’m trying not to drive myself crazy. there seems no end to mods…part of the fun of owning one I guess.

 

[DarkMatterGrey]

I consistently hear and see the catch cans labelled as Driver = Clean Side and Passenger = Dirty Side.

If I did get one, I’d just get passenger side so dipstick access isn’t compromised.

I’m still not sure if I’ll get one.

I see pics of benefits…..is there any true downsides to getting one? Will it throw codes? Does it impact anything it shouldn’t? I know Ford endorses the use of them. I wish they made them like they did for the S550 where they drain back into the engine and don’t need maintenance.

I like them for two reasons, 1) hoping to improve my octane since I drive in very hot conditions in a state where we don’t have 93, which I have to make from 91 and 100, and 2) as a diagnostic since you don’t know if you need one without having one.

First downside is you don’t want it to fill up and force oil into your intake so it must be maintained.

Second is you don’t want it to freeze up in cold climates and cause high pressure in your crankcase. I carry my stock hose in the trunk just in case.

Third is picking one from all the options. There’s some really good brands available, SPE Motorsport, J&L, UPR, Ford Performance, Mishimoto. There’s also some cheap brands all over Amazon. I bought a UPR and with a cross brace it’s a bit hard to maintain. For around the same price (under $200) J&L looks way easier to maintain. Ford performance is 3x the price but comes with passenger and driver side. SPE Motorsport is in between $400 and is a neat concept.

Bottom line it’s a tradeoff.

 

[robvas]

Id love to see a case where you get knock without one installed that goes away when you put one on.

also how much water vs oil is in there if it freezes?

 

[DarkHorsePremium]

I've never used a catch can, but am considering it (passenger side). Anytime I ever looked in the intake on my Subarus, there was never anything more than a very slight (almost unnoticeable dry residue). Certainly normal for any engine after years of ownership. I was a little OCD and changed my oil every 3K to 3.5K mi. I attributed the car's longevity to this. One 19 years and the other 10 years respectively. Maintaining a car's PCV is not something I overlook. The "shake test" and hearing the rattle always worked for me. I didn't track these cars but I certainly enjoyed and drove them to their potential.

I attended a cars and coffee earlier this month. I noticed catch cans on a few of the Corvettes and Mustangs that had their hoods open. I met a fellow Dark Horse owner and he had one on his passenger side. I didn't ask him about it, he brought it up. He's like, "Do you have a catch can?". (Referring to the passenger side). When I said no he looked me dead in the eye and said you should really consider it. This was his forth Mustang and he said he's had one on every one he's owned. I realize this is not evidence of anything.

I haven't made a decision. The J&L comes with Ford connectors on the hoses. It truly is a 10-minute install. I only put about 3,500 mi on a car per year. Side note: Ford couldn't have made it more difficult to check the oil in our cars. Geez. I love the way the crossmember looks but gosh what a PITA. They've made a 30 sec one-handed operation into a 2-minute two-handed drill. Considering the cost of gas in California, the cost for a can is negligible. Heck, some of the wine we drink costs more than a catch can. I'll probably watch some more videos and do some more reading before I decide. This is a great forum, I've learned a lot. I appreciate everyone's thoughtfulness, help and kindness.

Sponsored