Breather Tanks and PCV removal

[87turbot-type]

Well I'm trying to weed out all the small bugs left with my car so I can get into some good wot tunning.

I'm having issues with boost getting into the pcv system even with the kirbans check valve. I ordered a very similar setup to the picture I have attached below to make a catch can setup with breather tank.

I'm wondering what you guys think about capping out the pcv system completely and running just the breather tank setup. I've read other posts of people just using this but wanted some more opinions on the subject. Car is street driven maybe 3k a year and a couple track trips.

Very nice setup I must say.

Brandon!

 

[BEATAV8]

I just run open breather elements, PCV system eliminated. One breather on each valve cover. Very simple, very clean. Very low crankcase pressure and no oil carryover or H2O condensation.

 

[87turbot-type]

Sounds good what did you use to cap the pcv in the intake. I was thinking of a rubber plug.

 

[TurboBuRick]

The long hoses going to the tank are restricting. Pop some breathers in the valve covers.

The pcv is controversial. I would never run without one. Steve on the other hand never runs with one. So....you will get mixed response on that but I doubt that's causing the excessive case pressure. Specially if you have a check valve and it's working.

RL

 

[BEATAV8]

Sounds good what did you use to cap the pcv in the intake. I was thinking of a rubber plug.

Stock grommet, PCV valve is in place but capped with a rubber cap. A rubber plug would be OK too, just be sure it can handle up to ~200F temperature.

One drawback to eliminating the PCV and running open breathers is that you will occasionally smell the blowby when you come to a stop at a stop light or a stop sign. That would be an issue for me on a daily driver, but for a weekend warrior car which usually has the windows down anyways, it's no biggie.

 

[87turbot-type]

I just finished my breather tank setup last night I will post pics of it later today. Went for a 20km drive last night and had no issues with oil puking out anywhere. (PCV hooked up)
I capped it off this moring the same way you did Steve and will throw the breathers back on and see if I still have a blow bye issue or if it was just the PCV.

Engine is brand new rebuilt so there maybe alittle blow bye as the rings seat but I am almost positive I was getting boost into the engine from what was happening.

I can't see the breather tanks causing a restriction the way they are but will continue to test and report any feedback.

Brandon.

 

[2QUIK6]

The check valve for the Pcv are more trouble than they are worth. I've had them before on each car and both froze up and car began running terrible at idle. Removed them and they ran fine. If the proper AC Delco pcv is used there should be no issue with boost going thru it as it has a built in check valve, the weighted ball in the valve.

 

[BEATAV8]

If you go with open breathers just be sure there aren't any restriction in the way. Some breathers have small holes, less than 1/2 inch. Others have baffle crap built into the grommets. Ideally the breathers will have large openings and nothing in the way. Low restriction breathing is the key to low crankcase pressure.

In my pic, the little K&N breathers in the TA valve covers look small, but the opening is actually about an inch. The grommets on the K&N's just need to have the baffles cut out so the gases can flow through unrestricted.

 

[GetOwnedVette]

So what would the ideal size be for a system set up with a catch tank...because i think that system looks nicer. 10an? 12an? bigger?

 

[87turbot-type]

This is a small pic from the cell phone, couldn't find my camera.

I'm wondering if my cheap edelbrock breathers I was using were causing some of the issue being a restriction to the flow of the breather system as well. I haven't welded in the fittings into the valve covers yet. I bought fitted grommets to use for now, and checking the fittings at the valve covers I don't have nearly as much oil in the lines as I was getting before.

I am using -10an line on my tank setup. I can't see it being a restriction but will see.

 

[BEATAV8]

So what would the ideal size be for a system set up with a catch tank...because i think that system looks nicer. 10an? 12an? bigger?

Dual 10's or 12's would be fine. Just don't run both of them into a breather element with a single 1/2" hole.

 

[kidglok]

those pics make me wanna remove my ac/heat system!!

 

[GetOwnedVette]

those pics make me wanna remove my ac/heat system!!

DO IT!!! Heat and Ac is only needed when your 40+