I found this nicely made catch can while browsing a Subaru STI site.

http://www.accmachtech.com/pcvcatchcans.htm



"AMW PCV Catch Cans are designed by automotive enthusiasts for those who expect a higher standard of performance from their vehicle and wish to help extend the life of their engine by decreasing oil contamination from the intake tract to the combustion chamber. Months of research and testing has provided AMW with a unique and functional kit that has worked flawlessly on many makes of vehicles, from turbo applications, imports, late model domestics, to early model muscle. The internal design of the AMW catch can is superior in function to other catch cans on the market. Oil vapors and other contaminates are first caught and condensed by a stainless mesh and then dropped to the bottom of the can where a series of under-cuts in the walls prevent the oil from climbing back to the top and exiting back into the intake tract.

Oil contamination derives from the positive crankcase ventilation valve common on most internal combustion engines where vacuum is pulled on the crankcase by the intake or in some cases the throttle body. This contamination occurs when oil vapors exit the crankcase via the PCV valve, enter the intake tract, and create adverse effects such as carbon build-up on valves, pistons, and plugs, as well as cause harmful detonation. Detonation in many cases causes the ECM/PCM to retard timing, thus creating a reduction in horsepower. Power adders such as turbos, blowers, or nitrous can benefit greatly due to the removal of oil contamination in the combustion process. Poor emissions could also be traced back to high levels of oil residue being burned in the combustion process. By removing this oil, a clean burning engine could help the environment as well as improving the performance of a vehicle.
AWM PCV Catch Cans and mounting brackets are made from 6061 billet aluminum and machined cut on CNC machines producing a precise product with a professional appearance. Dimensions of the can are 2 1/2-inch in diameter by 5 3/4-inch tall, therefore making installations in tight spaces more convenient. Installation takes on average 15 to 20 minutes with minimal mechanical knowledge and common household tools. All hardware and accessories are included with purchase i.e. mounting bracket, screws, billet aluminum fittings, hose clamps, and five feet of hose. Please review installation instructions for additional details"

looks good to me!

 

It doesn't say anything about the can volume but by the dimensions shown I greatly doubt that it will hold the 1 quart requirement that SCCA requires.

It is nice and pretty but I still wonder if this stuff is not extreme overkill. On over a half dozen racecars and more street over the years, I know I have not paid over $5 for any plastic catch can ever and they have all done just fine. Although a used one quart oil bottle will do in a pinch, my prefered route is plastic drink or condiment bottle from the Dollar Store, Big Lots, WalMart, etc. A see-through bottle is even more helpful as you can see at a glance if you are actually moving any oil volume. These cans with pretty drain valves look nice but I really fail to see the value, especialy if the volume is too small for some sanctioning bodies.

 

I agree Lee. I "reused" my windshield washer bottle as my catch can. Perfect mounting and see-through

 

Overkill perhaps, under 1 quart likely, but you have to admire the quality. You just don't have to buy it to like it! It sure seems so much better made than a lot of those welded aluminum cans that have no thought put into them.

 

as long as we're sharing more ghetto, i mean racer, methods of catch can improvisation, here's mine.



radiator overflow from a 1g crx i think. its pretty damn big, and fits right where the charcoal canister was, and utlizes the existing tapered holder. got an extra elbow piece and drilled two holes at the top, left the cap open to vent.

 

as I wrestled with locating a spot for my catch can tonight, I am starting to consider one of these plastic bottle methods.. hmm..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">radiator overflow from a 1g crx i think. its pretty damn big, and fits right where the charcoal canister was, and utlizes the existing tapered holder.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good one. Extra points for using an existing mount is good proximity.

 

I have the AMW Catch can in the garage for my 944 turbo... if anyone needs any info or what not, I can go and and get you some answers. BTW, it is extremly nice quality, machined very nicely. The baffles inside are very nice as well... Of course, could be overkill for a honda challenge car.
No way it will hold a quart, but I can try anyway for those that want a definete answer.


Modified by ChassisInnovations at 11:03 PM 5/12/2005

 

I would like to see a pic of the inside of that catch can so I can get a better look at the series of under-cuts.

 

innards




and the grooves on the inside for oil retention. So nice to see somebody makes quality stuff.


two of them (in the top left corner) of an STI