What is your opinion of PCV catch cans for modern Mopar musclecars? There is a lot of debate over at the Challengertalk forum. Many good pros and cons. I’m a cheap-ass so if I don’t really need one I’d like to know.
Yeah, PCV pullover has been a problem since PCV was introduced in the ’60s. Basically, PCV and race cars don’t mix. The factory has come up with all manner of patches — valve cover baffles and vacuum restrictors — for at least three decades. In fact, Mopar just released a new PCV-side valve cover for new Vipers to minimize this very problem.
What I’ve been doing for almost as many decades is use a 1-quart “Summit” translucent plastic catch can, I mount the PCV valve (with grommet) in the top, plumbed to vacuum, and screw a fitting in about halfway up the side, plumbed to the valve cover/crankcase. After a few dozen laps, there are usually a few ounces of nasty oil in the bottom, the drain valve allows easy emptying. The whole deal costs maybe $15 and can be adapted to any engine. PCV pullover is very nasty, oil is very low octane (think: detonation), and creates carbon buildup in the chambers, and must be avoided.