Does your '14 need a catch can? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

AG1LE · 12-15-2013, 09:05 AM

Mine does...

Installed this catch can only 1 week ago (JDP Black Friday Sale)...I'm a bit concerned that there was this much oil after such a short time (only drove it in town, nothing too crazy, and my daily commute is only 20 miles or so).

Could this indicate a problem? I have an appointment with the dealership for something else this week (front turn signal stopped working), and will probably bring it up then.

SSTG · 12-15-2013, 11:34 AM

From the threads I've read this is normal for a new car.

AG1LE · 12-15-2013, 11:40 AM

Thanks SSTG - I did some more reading today, and it sounds like it might slow down eventually...I will keep an eye on it. Just seemed like a LOT for only 1 week (I'm at about 2400 miles).

not · 12-16-2013, 08:59 PM

I didn't put a catch can on mine and it burns off as designed and I never ever worry about it.

Let's review the benefits:

1. $$$$ still in my wallet not elsewhere.

2. No installation.

3. No emptying or servicing.

4. No worries.

Now of course I have a V8 L99 and the word out on the street is the V6's with DI need them while the V8, not so much.

*mlee* · 12-16-2013, 09:05 PM

I had an Elite Catch can on my L99 and it was definitely worth it.

Got a few ounces out of it every oil change.

Now I have Moroso on the LSA and get about the same amount.

intensifi · 12-17-2013, 12:03 AM

How did you break the engine in?

Supposedly if you get the rings to seat properly, there is less "blow by" for the catch can to catch.

That really does not seem like a lot of oil though. I empty mine catch can into a clear plastic water bottle to keep up on how much I have kept out of the intake.

Since your engine is non-DI your fuel (detergent) will help clean the air intake ports and valves. However the fuel will not clean the intake manifold. Check your intake manifold and see how much oil is in there already.

Do you have a rough idle? Sometimes that is a sign of oil buildup in the intake tract.

AG1LE · 12-17-2013, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intensifi

How did you break the engine in?

Supposedly if you get the rings to seat properly, there is less "blow by" for the catch can to catch.

That really does not seem like a lot of oil though. I empty mine catch can into a clear plastic water bottle to keep up on how much I have kept out of the intake.

Since your engine is non-DI your fuel (detergent) will help clean the air intake ports and valves. However the fuel will not clean the intake manifold. Check your intake manifold and see how much oil is in there already.

Do you have a rough idle? Sometimes that is a sign of oil buildup in the intake tract.

Thanks for the feedback - during break-in I pushed it on occasion while staying within the recommended RPM limits. Although the ultimate test will be to take a look at the intake manifold, I haven't done that yet. I plan to have my tb ported soon and may use that as a chance to check it out. Idle seems to be okay, but then again I don't really have a comparator.

I agree it's not a lot of oil, but that was one week of normal driving. Hopefully it will slow down, as others have suggested.

I've heard others also said that engine break-in procedure can have something to do with it. Now obviously that ship has sailed (I'm at about 2500 mi), whether I followed the recommended procedure or not (which I think I did). Hypothetically, if the rings did not seat properly, is there a way to find out whether that is the case, and anything one could (reasonably) do about it? I would be curious to know if there are others who can attest to carefully breaking in the engine and yet still catching a lot of oil.

Scott@Bjorn3D · 12-17-2013, 05:46 AM

It is going to be allot more than 2500 miles before your rings set. Most LS3/L99 will set in by about 10,000 miles. You have to remember you are running a very slick oil that takes allot longer for the rings to set.

Heck saw the heads pulled on a LS3 that still had some cross honing in cylinders at 5000 miles. With the oil we use they do not break in like using standard dino oil.

wakespeak · 01-16-2014, 02:36 PM

I had no accumulation for about the first 2 weeks, so I left it. I checked it again after about 400 miles and found about a 1/2 inch in my Apex catch can. This surprised me. 17K on the engine. Same distance commute. We were down in the 20s even in Austin, so that may have affected it. In the winter the pistons may take longer to expand and seal.

SMN2011Z28 · 02-11-2014, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not

I didn't put a catch can on mine and it burns off as designed and I never ever worry about it.

Let's review the benefits:

1. $$$$ still in my wallet not elsewhere.

2. No installation.

3. No emptying or servicing.

4. No worries.

Now of course I have a V8 L99 and the word out on the street is the V6's with DI need them while the V8, not so much.

This is sound judgement if you don't plan on holding on to the car for more than 3 or 4 years. If you are in it for the long haul, this will come back to haunt you!!
You will not see the benefits of a catch can unless you have the car for a very long time and many many miles.

Indydriver · 02-11-2014, 01:24 PM

JMWNERW...

This may not answer your questions but, if you haven't seen this article about the redesign of the LS3 for this gen Camaro, you will find the discussion about modifications to reduce blowby interesting. Also, regarding breakin and the never-ending debate as to whether or not to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, it is interesting to learn that your pistons are installed in your cylinders 2 microns wider than the bore (an "interference" fit). Perhaps they know something when they ask us to take it easy for the first 1500 miles.

http://www.camarohomepage.com/ls3/

not · 02-14-2014, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlee

I had an Elite Catch can on my L99 and it was definitely worth it.

Got a few ounces out of it every oil change.

Now I have Moroso on the LSA and get about the same amount.

I respect you and your knowledge of all things Camaro. But a catch can did nothing to help your Eaton Supercharger now did it?

Of course, nothing had to do to one or to another.........get my point?

And by the way, if I do live long enough for the long-haul, God willing, even with the low miles it won't need an engine pull, and if so, all the merrier.

I will spend my money on something non-maintenance, changing an oil catch-can in a confined space is NOT my idea of fun...

Best regards to all

Indydriver · 02-15-2014, 07:06 PM

Just ordered my Rx catch can + 1LE separator from Tracy. Once I get my LS3 running clean, will add CAI intake+VMAX. More air, less oil = happy V8.

SGDM · 02-17-2014, 09:11 PM

Worth every penny!

12-15-2013, 09:05 AM	#1
AG1LE Drives: '14 1LE Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 2,435	Does your '14 need a catch can? Mine does... Installed this catch can only 1 week ago (JDP Black Friday Sale)...I'm a bit concerned that there was this much oil after such a short time (only drove it in town, nothing too crazy, and my daily commute is only 20 miles or so). Could this indicate a problem? I have an appointment with the dealership for something else this week (front turn signal stopped working), and will probably bring it up then. Attached Images Last edited by AG1LE; 12-15-2013 at 09:33 AM.

12-16-2013, 09:05 PM	#5
mlee CamaroFans.com Drives: ZLE & ZR2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37,507 View My Garage	I had an Elite Catch can on my L99 and it was definitely worth it. Got a few ounces out of it every oil change. Now I have Moroso on the LSA and get about the same amount. __________________

12-17-2013, 12:03 AM	#6
intensifi Drives: '12 2LT Convertible Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belmont, California Posts: 1,701	How did you break the engine in? Supposedly if you get the rings to seat properly, there is less "blow by" for the catch can to catch. That really does not seem like a lot of oil though. I empty mine catch can into a clear plastic water bottle to keep up on how much I have kept out of the intake. Since your engine is non-DI your fuel (detergent) will help clean the air intake ports and valves. However the fuel will not clean the intake manifold. Check your intake manifold and see how much oil is in there already. Do you have a rough idle? Sometimes that is a sign of oil buildup in the intake tract. __________________ Mods: GM Locking Gas Cap, RS License Plate Frame, SS Brembos, ZL1 FrontEnd, 14/15 Convertible Top

02-17-2014, 09:11 PM	#14
SGDM Drives: 2016 2SS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,422	Worth every penny! __________________ Who Dares...Wins

12-15-2013, 11:34 AM	#2
SSTG Drives: 2014 Z51 Corvette Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ofallon, Mo. Posts: 5,822	From the threads I've read this is normal for a new car.

12-15-2013, 11:40 AM	#3
AG1LE Drives: '14 1LE Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 2,435	Thanks SSTG - I did some more reading today, and it sounds like it might slow down eventually...I will keep an eye on it. Just seemed like a LOT for only 1 week (I'm at about 2400 miles).

12-16-2013, 08:59 PM	#4
not Account Suspended Drives: Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 341	I didn't put a catch can on mine and it burns off as designed and I never ever worry about it. Let's review the benefits: 1. $$$$ still in my wallet not elsewhere. 2. No installation. 3. No emptying or servicing. 4. No worries. Now of course I have a V8 L99 and the word out on the street is the V6's with DI need them while the V8, not so much.

12-17-2013, 05:46 AM	#8
Scott@Bjorn3D Drives: Kami, 2013 2SS LS3 Luvin Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eufaula, Alabama Posts: 6,427	It is going to be allot more than 2500 miles before your rings set. Most LS3/L99 will set in by about 10,000 miles. You have to remember you are running a very slick oil that takes allot longer for the rings to set. Heck saw the heads pulled on a LS3 that still had some cross honing in cylinders at 5000 miles. With the oil we use they do not break in like using standard dino oil.

01-16-2014, 02:36 PM	#9
wakespeak Drives: 2020 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,335	I had no accumulation for about the first 2 weeks, so I left it. I checked it again after about 400 miles and found about a 1/2 inch in my Apex catch can. This surprised me. 17K on the engine. Same distance commute. We were down in the 20s even in Austin, so that may have affected it. In the winter the pistons may take longer to expand and seal.

02-11-2014, 01:24 PM	#11
Indydriver Drives: '14 2SS/RS Vert 6M/KTU/NPP/DTA/ARH Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,826	JMWNERW... This may not answer your questions but, if you haven't seen this article about the redesign of the LS3 for this gen Camaro, you will find the discussion about modifications to reduce blowby interesting. Also, regarding breakin and the never-ending debate as to whether or not to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, it is interesting to learn that your pistons are installed in your cylinders 2 microns wider than the bore (an "interference" fit). Perhaps they know something when they ask us to take it easy for the first 1500 miles. http://www.camarohomepage.com/ls3/

02-15-2014, 07:06 PM	#13
Indydriver Drives: '14 2SS/RS Vert 6M/KTU/NPP/DTA/ARH Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,826	Just ordered my Rx catch can + 1LE separator from Tracy. Once I get my LS3 running clean, will add CAI intake+VMAX. More air, less oil = happy V8.