[WolfPlayer]

This install/diary is now complete. Long story short: www.bescaredracing.com - /sti/catchcans/complete/. No stock piece was harmed in this process. Everything is 100% reversible. Fully separate systems. No Bling. For the full story of everything then read this entire post.

I'm working on a custom catch cans intall and will be documenting it here. Stipulations ...

1) No Bling! No need to draw attention to catch cans.
2) PCV and Breather are separate.
3) High Quality.
4) Something that isn't huge.
5) No Drilling for mounting.

Instead of using the ... errrr ... overpriced inferior import catch cans on the market I'm going with a tried and true (but still relatively unknown) manufacturer: Accurate Machine Works. They make 6061 billet aluminum catch cans with a lot of built in technology. With regard to functionality, they are better than any import catch can on the market that I have seen (sorry! I don't want to offend anybody - just telling things as I have seen it so far). They also offer them in a variety of colors accomplished by anodizing the aluminum. Very nice indeed. I ordered up 2 black anodized cans. Here is the link to AMW's site:

Accurate Machine Works

I was not disappointed when I recieved my cans. The quality is indeed everything it is cracked up to be ... from an integral o-ring to seal the top ... down to etched marks on that top for grip ... down to quality hose and barbs. Heck - even the freaking mounting brackets are 6061 billet aluminum with specially angled mounting points! Truly a nice product (I am in no way affiliated with AMW). Here are pics of my cans ...

www.bescaredracing.com - /sti/catchcans/preinstall/

This satisfies a lot of my requirements. Definitely no Bling and they are high quality and relatively small.

t

[WolfPlayer]

To satisfy #5, I will be using the 'built-in' bolt holes on the passenger strut tower. They are in a perfect place to mount the catch cans. However, I can't simply mount the catch cans to those holes. I need to build an adapter plate and space that plate out a little bit from the fender. I picked up some aluminum sheet and some nylon spacers for this purpose. I will be fabbing a mounting bracket that will either look like a 'T' or a '+'. The cans will be mounted on the horizontal part of the bracket and the vertical part will be used to mount the bracket to the car (the holes in the passenger strut tower are vertical). This should work nicely and be very stable. FWIW, I was originally going to use aluminum tubing since it is available everywhere (Lowes, Home Depot, etc). However, I found these nylon spacers and this will ensure that the fender receives absolutely no scratches, dings, etc from the install. Here are pics of the spacers and aluminum I picked up. I got the aluminum from the local hobby shop and the spacers from lowes.

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/catchcans/bracket/

I'm slow to do stuff so I probably won't have this up soon. However, you never know. Hopefully I will get a chance to work on the cardboard template within the next week or so. Then it is just a matter of cutting the aluminum sheet to match the template and then I can get the cans actually mounted in the car. I will post up dimensions and pictures of everything when I am done so that others can do this if they want.

t

[OA5599]

really sharp looking product .

the stainless mesh and undercuts inside should make it very effective .

[WolfPlayer]

Today I purchased the remaining hardware that I needed along with actually fabbing up the cardboard template that will be used to create the real aluminum bracket.

I purchased the following extra hardware ...
2 - Stainless Steel 1.5" long 6mm allen head screws (to attach the custom bracket to the strut tower)
2 - Stainless Steel 6mm lock washers
4 - Stainless Steel 0.75" long 10/32 Pan Head screws, Phillips head (to attach the AMW brackets to the custom bracket)
4 - Stainless Steel 10/32 locking nuts
4 - Stainless Steel 10/32 washers

Here is a pic of the new hardware along with the AMW brackets and the 1" nylon spacers I already purchased ...

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/ca...e/DSC01947.JPG

I started off with a 5" x 4" piece of cardboard for creating the template. The first course of business is to relocate the optional factory upgraded security horn. This was a necessity anyhow because I want to install a strut tower brace later. I didn't actually relocate the horn today. I simply scouted for a good place and found a great one (more on this whenever I get around to doing it). Anyhow, after 1/2 hour or so that 5" x 4" piece of cardboard was turned into this (I'll post a much clearer description with dimensions when this whole task is said and done) ...

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/ca...e/DSC01948.JPG

Using the hardware in the first picture, we get this ...

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/ca...e/DSC01938.JPG
http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/ca...e/DSC01939.JPG

With the cans installed we get this ...
http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/ca...e/DSC01935.JPG
http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/ca...e/DSC01937.JPG

The pictures are kinda warped because the weight of the cans is pulling down on the cardboard. However, rest assured that it is a really nice fit. I'll probably get around to cutting the aluminum from this template sometime this week. Then I'll mount the cans up for real and get some new pics. For all pics of today's work, go here ...

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/ca...cket/template/


t

[Stee]

What is the overall benefit to running a catch can as it is understood on this board?

[WolfPlayer]

The overall benefit is to keep oil out of the ...

1) Turbo intake hose
2) Turbo (which you don't have to worry about too much because of how hot it gets)
3) Intercooler hoses / Y-pipe
4) The intercooler
5) The throttle body

Oil significantly lowers the octane rating of gasoline.

The only thing left that nobody has addressed is that the PCV feeds both the turbo intake tube AND the intake manifold. There REALLY should be a catch can on the PCV going to the intake manifold.

Update: I got antsy and layed the template on the aluminum. All the holes are now drilled . Now I just need to take it to the shop in order to make my straight cuts. All of my major tools are across town. What I should do is replace the nylon spacers with some u-shaped aluminum and have it TIG welded to the plate. However, right now I'll keep pushing forward so that this is a 100% bolt on that anybody can do.

t

[Slowride]

Looks great so far. Can't wait to see the finished installation.

[WolfPlayer]

Today I relocated the factory optional upgraded security horn. I put it on the passenger side in front of the factory boost solenoid. Very simple to do but did require lengthening the horn wire.

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/catchcans/horn/

To do this, take the entire assembly off the strut tower. Do NOT disconnect the horn from the steel mount that attaches to the 2 bolts on the tower! Keep it on that mount in order to do this: Grab the mount and bend the horn's little bracket to create a 90 degree angle where the horn bracket meets the bigger strut tower bracket. Now you can disconnect the horn from the bigger strut tower bracket (12mm wrench). Simply unbolt the bolt in the pic above and slap the horn on there. Very simple. Extend the factory harness and then you are good to go.

This is coming along nicely.

t

[Rev]

Originally Posted by Stee

What is the overall benefit to running a catch can as it is understood on this board?

Overall benefits:

Saves turbo by filtering out blown-by gases from the crankcase and valvetrain.

Not getting oily air back into the intake tract would have a little improvement in performace (no idea how would it be measured), but removing the amount of non-combustible elements into your fuel-air mix is actually good.

It looks bling 8)

EDIT: Wolfplayer said it above too.

[esemes]

looks great!!

wonder if you'd be interested in making me one??

(bracket, that is).... i like the clean and oem fitment/look ALOT

[WolfPlayer]

Originally Posted by esemes

looks great!!

wonder if you'd be interested in making me one??

(bracket, that is).... i like the clean and oem fitment/look ALOT

I guess I could make a couple at the same time. Only problem is ... this is extremely specific. It is specifically setup for two AMW catch cans. The cans are like $96 a pop ... so figure like $192 just for catch cans. Think about it and then let me know. I'm open to the idea of making a couple more ... however, please realize that I am not a company nor am I a professional fabricator. I'm just filling a need that I have for a neat/clean/functional catch can setup.

t

[WolfPlayer]

Aluminum plate/bracket finished.

http://www.bescaredracing.com/sti/ca...cket/complete/

I'll attach the cans to the car and get some pics as soon as the rain stops. Then the hose routing begins!

t

[esemes]

looks great!

cant wait for the final design.....

my worry is fitment of a larger turbo in that area....

maybe i should wait on asking a favor from you on this... (hope its okay)


ese

[WolfPlayer]

Originally Posted by esemes

maybe i should wait on asking a favor from you on this... (hope its okay)

That's totally cool. Truth is ... who in their right mind would spend $200 on a catch can system anyhow? I might have overdone it ... but, at least I did it the safest best way that I know of.

t

[esemes]

i like this approach, TBH

please do include your hose routing schematics too, as im veru interested in this setup.


thnx

ese