Oil separator/catch can - how beneficial?

[FogcitySF]

With other high revving normally aspirated engines such as those in the F 458, GT3, BMW M3/M5, oil separators/catch cans rarely used and many of these engines (in particular Porsche and BMW) can last for 120-150k+ hard-driven/tracked miles with little/no degradation in power. Moreover, the Voodoo as well as some of these other engines are port injected, so the valves usually stay clean if driven hard. As a precaution many also use fuel system cleaners, which again with port injection, helps reduce buildup.

Is it really that harmful if some oil blow-by occurs given in other high revving applications it doesn't seem to affect power, and with proper maintenance (using fuel system cleaners regularly), is using an oil catch can really that necessary? Curious if I'm completely missing something that I haven't considered.

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[TRAC WPN]

I installed the FP oil separators on both sides before my first track day. Upon inspection found very little oil in the driver side can, and much more on the passenger side (a proxy. a shot glass). I can't answer if the reliability/efficientcy of the motor would be compromised without the separators long term, but I feel its cheap insurance/piece of mind

 

[rb92gt]

With other high revving normally aspirated engines such as those in the F 458, GT3, BMW M3/M5, oil separators/catch cans rarely used and many of these engines (in particular Porsche and BMW) can last for 120-150k+ hard-driven/tracked miles with little/no degradation in power. Moreover, the Voodoo as well as some of these other engines are port injected, so the valves usually stay clean if driven hard. As a precaution many also use fuel system cleaners, which again with port injection, helps reduce buildup.

Is it really that harmful if some oil blow-by occurs given in other high revving applications it doesn't seem to affect power, and with proper maintenance (using fuel system cleaners regularly), is using an oil catch can really that necessary? Curious if I'm completely missing something that I haven't considered.

All I know is I get a significant amount of oil in my passenger side catch can, with just regular driving on the street. Why would you want to burn this in your cylinders? It reduces the effective octane rating and is meant to be a lubricant, not a fuel. An oil catch can is cheap and easy to install, so why not? My JLT 3.0 has a super simple can that spins on and off. Driver side is always bone dry, if I did it again wouldn't get the driver side one, but passenger side always has some in it.

 

[THX 138]

With other high revving normally aspirated engines such as those in the F 458, GT3, BMW M3/M5, oil separators/catch cans rarely used and many of these engines (in particular Porsche and BMW) can last for 120-150k+ hard-driven/tracked miles with little/no degradation in power.

Are you sure the GT3 doesn't have an Air/Oil Separator? The 997.1 and 997.2 911's have them... Heck, even my 2002 Boxster S has one.

 

[jonb347]

You will catch a significant amount of oil in your catch cans. Particularly on the Gt350. We run the Upr setups in any car that gets tracked and there is significant oil to drain after every track day. The drivers side is not under vacuum, and will not pull as much. That's why upr does a separator there vs a can. The passenger side legitimately sucks oil up. The Ford racing one is ok but once it's oil soaked it's like a wet mop and will be less functional. Feel free to pm me to get setup with a upr double sided setup.

 

[Tflong24]

For me I just don't see a downside, except spending $100-$150. I drained my passenger side for the first time this past weekend after 2k miles of average street driving and got approx. 1-2 ounces. its more of a why not.

 

[hp1000]

I thought this was a good video on it.
[ame]

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