Oil Catch Can….is it necessary on LT1 6.2L V8?

Jtodd777 · 03-01-2023, 12:51 PM

I have a 2021 2SS 1LE. I believe the 6.2L V8 is a (DI) Direct Injection engine. I have seen some YouTube videos that if you have a DI engine, an oil catch can is recommended to help prevent power robbing carbon buildup on the intake valves. Is there any truth to this?

arpad_m · 03-01-2023, 01:10 PM

Another catch can thread, yippee

OP, jokes aside, if you search the forums using a real (external) search engine and specify the additional "site:camaro6.com" term, you will find a host of similar threads with a lot of back and forth on this topic. There isn't and will not be a conclusive ending to this debate, I and many others each have our own opinions of course, and there is some, but IMO not fully conclusive evidence on both sides.

RideWithDanger · 03-01-2023, 02:55 PM

It has been answered before on both sides, and there is no "absolute" answer. GM tells you that you do not need one, and thats true, you definitely don't NEED one. There 6.2l Camaros with well over 100k miles working perfectly that have never seen a catch can.

There is also the downside of the catch can which is, it can be installed improperly or malfunction and cause problems. Even installed correctly, there is a chance if you DO have an issue that GM won't honor your warranty because of this modification. Some dealerships will, some wont, Its best to ask yours if this is a concern.

On the plus side, IF it works as advertised then you'll be reducing the carbon buildup which is obviously nice. Some of them (especially ones I have seen in the past and not on the Camaro) have really been gimmicks and don't actually work as they claim and the oil you see wasn't going to make it the valves to begin with. I cannot speak for whatever brands are around now or any of them made for the Camaro.

Jtodd777 · 03-02-2023, 07:10 AM

Thanks arpad_m and ridewithdanger…. I’m thinking that keeping fresh oil and clean filters maybe all I need.

2SS Capt · 09-12-2023, 12:34 AM

I've had one on since about 50 miles, currently at about 8,800 miles... This is after about 750-800 miles since I last emptied it... Stock LT1, no mods...

I'm guessing that is about an ounce, so in 8800 miles I've probably kepts about 10-11oz of oil off my valves, is it perfect? No... Is it catching everything, I doubt it, but the one thing I can say for sure is there is 10-11oz LESS oil that has drifted over my very hot intake valves so there is VERY likely less coking of the valves... The way I look at it, if I'm only catching 50% of the blowby, then at 100K miles my valves will look like stock 50K valves... To me, cheap insurance... (Mishimoto Catch Can)

Your Mileage May Vary...

Spaceme1117 · 09-12-2023, 05:53 AM

A catch can is not a bad idea but the LT1 does not have the carbon build up problems that most other DI engines have.

Gen6cyl · 09-12-2023, 08:29 PM

Scenario: 2 exact gen 6 Camaros with 100k miles. One with a occ since 50 miles and the other with out one. Which one would you want?

h422694 · 09-12-2023, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen6cyl

Scenario: 2 exact gen 6 Camaros with 100k miles. One with a occ since 50 miles and the other with out one. Which one would you want?

I certainly wouldn't make my purchase based on whether it had a cc or not. I want to see maint records and hope the guy with the cc had it serviced more than once every 10 k. If your exact includes maint I'd have to say the one without the cc since it didn't appear to do anything. Just my opinion.

WhiteMale · 09-13-2023, 12:58 PM

Then of course a top tier gasoline has the necessary detergents to deal with it. So they say.

If for the LT4/1 were as economical as what I had on my Coyote and ease of install, I'd probably have one on this car. When you empty that oil out it's clearly working and I'm 100% that its better for the car. But like I said I'm not pulling the blower and dropping several hundred dollars on any of the CC.

arpad_m · 09-13-2023, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteMale

Then of course a top tier gasoline has the necessary detergents to deal with it. So they say.

If for the LT4/1 were as economical as what I had on my Coyote and ease of install, I'd probably have one on this car. When you empty that oil out it's clearly working and I'm 100% that its better for the car. But like I said I'm not pulling the blower and dropping several hundred dollars on any of the CC.

This is a direct injection only engine (with no port injection), gasoline never makes it to the top of the valves, so the cleaning effect of those detergents is irrelevant, unfortunately.

03-01-2023, 12:51 PM	#1
Jtodd777 Drives: 2021 Camaro SS 1LE Wild Cherry Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York Posts: 35	Oil Catch Can….is it necessary on LT1 6.2L V8? I have a 2021 2SS 1LE. I believe the 6.2L V8 is a (DI) Direct Injection engine. I have seen some YouTube videos that if you have a DI engine, an oil catch can is recommended to help prevent power robbing carbon buildup on the intake valves. Is there any truth to this?

03-01-2023, 01:10 PM	#2
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,594 View My Garage	Another catch can thread, yippee OP, jokes aside, if you search the forums using a real (external) search engine and specify the additional "site:camaro6.com" term, you will find a host of similar threads with a lot of back and forth on this topic. There isn't and will not be a conclusive ending to this debate, I and many others each have our own opinions of course, and there is some, but IMO not fully conclusive evidence on both sides. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

03-01-2023, 02:55 PM	#3
RideWithDanger Drives: 23 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: GA Posts: 569	It has been answered before on both sides, and there is no "absolute" answer. GM tells you that you do not need one, and thats true, you definitely don't NEED one. There 6.2l Camaros with well over 100k miles working perfectly that have never seen a catch can. There is also the downside of the catch can which is, it can be installed improperly or malfunction and cause problems. Even installed correctly, there is a chance if you DO have an issue that GM won't honor your warranty because of this modification. Some dealerships will, some wont, Its best to ask yours if this is a concern. On the plus side, IF it works as advertised then you'll be reducing the carbon buildup which is obviously nice. Some of them (especially ones I have seen in the past and not on the Camaro) have really been gimmicks and don't actually work as they claim and the oil you see wasn't going to make it the valves to begin with. I cannot speak for whatever brands are around now or any of them made for the Camaro. __________________ Instagram: RideWithDanger Radiant Red 23' 2SS 1LE 1100: 11/14/22 \| BUILT: 3/16/23 2000: 2/17/23 \| 4200: 5/8/23 3000: 2/27/23 \| 5000/6000: 5/15/23 Black on black 2019 3LT RS Camaro. 1100: 3/7/19 \| 4200: 4/15/19 3100: 3/15/19 \| 4800: 4/23/19 3400: 3/22/19 \| 5000: 4/25/19 Built: 4/8/19 \| Home: 4/26/19

09-12-2023, 12:34 AM	#5
2SS Capt 2020 Shadow Gray 2SS Drives: 2020 2SS - A10, NPP, MRC, CAI Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: SoCal Posts: 3,021	I've had one on since about 50 miles, currently at about 8,800 miles... This is after about 750-800 miles since I last emptied it... Stock LT1, no mods... I'm guessing that is about an ounce, so in 8800 miles I've probably kepts about 10-11oz of oil off my valves, is it perfect? No... Is it catching everything, I doubt it, but the one thing I can say for sure is there is 10-11oz LESS oil that has drifted over my very hot intake valves so there is VERY likely less coking of the valves... The way I look at it, if I'm only catching 50% of the blowby, then at 100K miles my valves will look like stock 50K valves... To me, cheap insurance... (Mishimoto Catch Can) Your Mileage May Vary... __________________ 2020 SGM 2SS - A10, NPP, MRC, Red Calipers, Black Camaro Fender Badge, Footwell Lighting *Added after delivery:* - GMP CAI, GMP Black Strut Tower Brace, MRR017 1LE Wheels, SS Armrest, Black Fuel Door, Stainless Sport Pedals, SS Wheel Caps, Black Lugs/Locks, GM Splash Guards, DD Smoked LED Markers, Smoked Rear Reflectors, Mishimoto Catch Can, Xpel PPF - Full Front, SunTek 35% Tint, CeramicPro coating, RST Stainless Brake Lines, Castrol SRF, MSD Super Conductor Wires *Left: My "fun" ride. Right: My "work" ride: a Gulfstream G600. One's top speed is 180 Mph, the other, 620 Mph...* Last edited by 2SS Capt; 09-12-2023 at 02:42 AM.

09-12-2023, 08:29 PM	#7
Gen6cyl Drives: Chevy Camaro 2021 ,rs, v6, manual Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Georgia Posts: 868	Scenario: 2 exact gen 6 Camaros with 100k miles. One with a occ since 50 miles and the other with out one. Which one would you want? __________________ B6 dampers, x pipe, mbrp axel back

03-02-2023, 07:10 AM	#4
Jtodd777 Drives: 2021 Camaro SS 1LE Wild Cherry Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York Posts: 35	Thanks arpad_m and ridewithdanger…. I’m thinking that keeping fresh oil and clean filters maybe all I need.

09-12-2023, 05:53 AM	#6
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 815	A catch can is not a bad idea but the LT1 does not have the carbon build up problems that most other DI engines have.

09-13-2023, 12:58 PM	#9
WhiteMale Drives: 23 ZL1 A10 Rapid Blue Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: MO Posts: 1,986	Then of course a top tier gasoline has the necessary detergents to deal with it. So they say. If for the LT4/1 were as economical as what I had on my Coyote and ease of install, I'd probably have one on this car. When you empty that oil out it's clearly working and I'm 100% that its better for the car. But like I said I'm not pulling the blower and dropping several hundred dollars on any of the CC.

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