Blow-by/Catch cans with the Si...

[HY.]

So, I've been doing my research as to what blow-by is and how catch cans work to mitigate their effect. I've heard the common wisdom that NA cars don't need them but they don't hurt either.

Recently on the forums I check for my car (07 Civic Si) I found a guy who posted this picture of his Si:

http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad16/CallMeSamael/DSCN0102.jpg

of blowby in his intake manifold with an NA car. Bored and adjusting my CAI anyway, I decided to check mine, and sure enough, mine looked similar! (don't ask me why I didn't take a picture of my own IM because I forgot...)

This has made me consider getting an oil catch can since my car runs at a high compression ratio (11.0:1) and I push my car hard and bang off redline during autox. I want the car to last awhile and maintain power but at the same time, I've never had any problems with it and most everywhere I read, people seem to say blowby happens to every engine and with an NA engine (my car probably makes ~200whp) it's not significant enough to be worth the time/money/effort.

Opinions? Thanks!

NOTE: I found someone selling a BLOX oil catch can for $40 so not a ton of money, but still, don't want more crap in my engine bay if I don't need it and 4,000 pennies saved is still 4,000 pennies earned. (And yes I realize the conflict of interests between wanting the car to last and banging off redline every month).

[cpasti]

Stop diagnosing on the internet :poke:, your engine is fine and will be. That said, here's a question for you that's always important to remember - where in the class rules for your car does it say you can install one?

[HY.]

Stop diagnosing on the internet :poke:, your engine is fine and will be. That said, here's a question for you that's always important to remember - where in the class rules for your car does it say you can install one?

Hahah, thanks and fair enough, but who said I would run it at competition?! Don't y'all know I remove my turbo every month so I can run STX?

Usually I consider the rulebook, but the thread was started and more focused on protecting my car I drive everyday (not all of us can afford a toy on the side that we store in a private garage!) than autox and I forgot that even though it might not really make the car go faster it may break rules on technicalities. Still, the natural wear and tear of an autox car aside, I put the life of the car > autox so I was more asking with that in mind, not competition.

And people knock the internet (associated with my overthinking) a lot, but at the end of the day, it's via the internet that I've learned 90% of what I know about cars and driving them. With its help I was able to install my intake, header, exhaust, suspension and other complicated crap on other people's cars! Paranoia has paid off plenty! :o (e.g. I've avoided hydrolocking, throwing codes, deactivating airbags, running lean/rich!).

But I also know a lot of "enthusiasts" need an excuse to spend their money and I generally am just focused on going faster somehow while not blowing myself up :cool:

[Sebastian R.]

where in the class rules for your car does it say you can install one?

13.10.G The installation of water expansion tanks is allowed. The installation
of oil catch tanks is allowed provided the PCV system is not altered.

It is a stock allowance, ST classes build on stock allowances and then add thier own. I use a catch can on my '89 ST(X) civic. If you've seen efs belching smoke after turns you can see why they are useful.

[HY.]

13.10.G The installation of water expansion tanks is allowed. The installation
of oil catch tanks is allowed provided the PCV system is not altered.

It is a stock allowance, ST classes build on stock allowances and then add thier own. I use a catch can on my '89 ST(X) civic. If you've seen efs belching smoke after turns you can see why they are useful.

What he said! Hahaha.

So what's your opinion in the case of my car? From what I hear there's no harm either than to your wallet but Im curious if you'd actually recommend it for me. Thanks!

[Sebastian R.]

Why not? If it helps longevity, is a legal modification, and adds a little bling to boot...go for it. Just make sure you research for you specific application.

My mad tyte jdm (yo!) Greddy can is a little bling and heavy for my tastes, but it was available and priced right when I got it...
They can be made for cheap, Jon made one for his EF using an air compressor filter.

I'll be at the event this weekend (my wife and son will probably run with you in STX). You can check it out if you want.

[cpasti]

What he said! Hahaha.

So what's your opinion in the case of my car? From what I hear there's no harm either than to your wallet but Im curious if you'd actually recommend it for me. Thanks!

I never said I tried to look up the rule, just asked you the question. Only point being little things like this are how people (usually newer) get themselves in trouble for seemingly innocuous details, also assuming someone would actually protest it in the first place, but that's not the place to start from.

See you menana.

[HY.]

Crap, I assume your wife is Shauna...

So basically I'm guaranteed at best a 2nd place finish :) man can't wait til next year when those 89s are supposed to be out of here! Last time she stomped be by like almost 3 seconds I think!

I won't be at the practice event tomorrow though, but I definitely will consider the catch can now. Thanks for inputs guys. I'd like to hear more people's opinions too. Bored as hell right now stuck in the San Francisco airport...