Sorry if i'm being a noob or whatever, but like i've said before, i no very little about mechanics etc but am willing and keen to learn as much as i can. my question is about what applications an oil catch can should be applied to. i have a rough understanding of what they do, im just wondering if they are only really for turbocharged engines or if they are equally as useful for n/a engines.

we are required to use them on ower SCCA E Production cars as well as the ITS cars, both are na. the catch tanks are usefull on an na application and help keep the smoke out the tail pipe as well as keeps the engine clean if you just run a breather filter.

There is never a bad question.................



You don't say in what contexed the catch tank question is to be applied.



In racing just about every class of car except pure stock are required to have a (32 Oz.) catch tank (can) connected to the engine breather. And in most organizations the transmission and differential as well must have catch cans.



In racing, the object is that in the event of a failed engine or engine component (like a holed piston or broken piston ring or side seal) the overpressure in the crank case or just lower engine will not turn a seal inside out and dump vast amounts of hot oil onto the track. Same for the diff and transmission.



In street engines, the crank case gasses escape into a valve and then into the intake to be recycled as intake flow.



This works fine at street speeds and power levels. Not the case when power is way up and for a long time. The rotary is quite hopefull in breather size (very small), and long power runs tend to over pressure the case. So in a hot street machine, a "T" fitting in the breather line with a bigger hose running into a catch can, will relieve the case pressure, and reduce the amount of oil fauled gasses entering the intake. More power, less smoke in the exhaust, and less octane polution. A plus for turbo engines.



So a catch can will work on the street as well. In areas where polution controls are mandated and you must pass some sort of test, the catch can must be removed completely with the fittings, so that there is no evidence of the installation, to get through the test.



Lynn E. Hanover

ah ok thanks guys, yeah it would be for a street application so im guessing it would be a worthwhile investment along with a better intake system