I thought it best to start an individual thread on the most popular item 42 Draft Designs manufacture, their oil catch cans. I went into these in the Introduction thread, so there will be some repitition, but I want to make it easy for newcomers to find what they want without sifting through long general threads. This forst post is a copy of the intro thread, so please skip ahead if you have already seen that.
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42DD have two levels of catch can, the Stealth ( foreground ) and the Ultimate ( back row ). The Stealth is an economy, sealed unit, but EXACTLY the same inside as the flashier Ultimate, same dimensions, same inlet and outlet etc. I expect they catch the same levels of oil.
The key point to both cans is the inside, and they have an actual mechanical maze for the oil vapour to condense upon. Running a plain can is pretty much a waste of time unless it's very big, or cooled or has some other means of causing condensation. This is the main thing that got me interested in 42DD in the first place, their well thought out catch cans. The Stealth innards, then the Ultimate, both with 4 grid levels ( the ultimate ones are partly recessed in the lid )
The Ultimate has a full CNC removable lid, has a dipstick, and can be fully dismantled. It's really mainly about bling, I honestly can't see it removing any more oil than the cheaper Stealth. Both are available in a few colour options, mainly silver or black. The Ultimate can is much easier to mount, and has GTI and R friendly brackets included ( the R fitment all thanks to ozmale! ). The cheaper Stealth is trickier to mount, and there is as yet no specific bracket for any Aussie VW, you have to fab up your own for now, but I am working on them ( slowly! ). Either is available as a plain can, or in a FSI "solution" kit, as pictured here, which includes a PCV removal plate, manifold plug / tap ( to run a boost gauge ) and all the bits required for the FSI engine. TSFI kits are being developed, but it's slow, 42DD are flat out just keeping up with product demand!
Kits come with plain 19mm rubber heater hose, which eventually breaks down due to the oil, but as yet I have been unable to find the perfect silicon hose to use instead. Enzed have a Parker 611-12, 19mm hydraulic hose in black, but at about $34 a meter, it's a pricey option. For most people I'd suggest running rubber, and replacing it every two or so years.
Last edited by Greg Roles; 03-11-2011 at 05:57 PM.
42’s oil catch cans take the basic idea of an oil catch can to the next level!
Every internal combustion engine has pressure and blow-by gases in the crankcase and valve cover. Some engines do a better job of separating the oil vapors before reaching the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) vents than others. Most engines don’t, sending a nasty mix of oil vapor and waste gases out the PCV vent and into the intake system. These vapors smother important (and costly) sensors with oil and gunk. In extreme cases, this gunk can build up on the valves killing performance. On a micro level, oil vapors displace oxygen molecules altering air-fuel ratios and effectively lower the octane level of your fuel.
The concept is simple – trap the oil vapors in the PCV system before they have the opportunity to reach the air intake. It takes more than an empty can and some tubing to achieve this task. From the start, our oil catch cans are designed to pick up where others leave off. Our inlet and outlet fittings are made from ¾” tubing, the same basic size as the OEM PCV fittings and hoses. Larger inlet and outlet fittings allow for uninterrupted flow from the PCV vent to the can and back. Tubing smaller than stock will restrict the PCV vent and the flow of vapors. As PCV gases enter our catch can they disperse and turn upwards, forced to flow through a series of four filter screens. As the gases flow through these screens, heavy oil and gunk sticks and lighter gases reach the outlet tube at the top. Accumulated oil and gunk naturally runs off the filter screens and collect at the bottom of the tank. Without these screens, only a fraction of the liquids are trapped by the catch can. A bottom drain allows the tank to be drained without removing the entire catch can.
We currently offer two models, both based on the same successful internal design. Our Ultimate Oil Catch Can offers features and options found nowhere else. Our Stealth Oil Catch Can offers the function of our ultimate can in a discrete package.
I would HIGHLY recommend the following optional oil drain tap for these cans, both very cheap and makes draining incredibly easy. You can either get just the tap, or a kit with a drain hose as well, to run out below the lower engine tray. I post so many of these out to people afterwards, I should almost make it part of the kit, but am reluctant to raise the price at all!
Last edited by Greg Roles; 02-11-2011 at 08:52 PM.
With so many different components and two base materials, the ultimate oil catch can is blessed with endless finish possibilities. We started with two finishes that compliment both the CNC work that makes up the lid and the fabrication work that creates the body of the catch can. Recently we added an additional finish that tones down the shine and offers a stealth look. Not to be confused with our stealth oil catch can, we're leaving the word out and calling the new finish option "unlimited wrinkle black." This option reaches beyond the universal catch can and affects our installation solutions. To avoid confusion we would like to spotlight the available finishes for our ultimate oil catch can and installation solutions. Look for pictures and details in this product spotlight as future finish options are chosen.
Brushed Finish
Our brushed finish is a technical finish that give the ultimate catch can the look of a serious machine. Using a combination of spinning tools and hand finishing techniques, we apply a soft brushed finish to the stainless steel components of the ultimate. In universal fitments, the outlet fitting and the catch can body are brushed.
In all fitments, the CNC machined aluminum components are unfinished, bright from machining. Components include the catch can lid, dipstick, and universal brackets. Stainless steel hardware holds the catch can together without any additional finishing.
Wrinkle Black Finish
Our wrinkle black finish truely stands out. If a catch can could be well dressed, our wrinkle black ultimate would gladly model. Using our in-house powdercoating techniques, we apply a tight-grain wrinkle black powdercoat to the stainless steel components of the ultimate. This deep black color and texture compliments the smooth shine of our CNC machined aluminum.
In universal fitments, the outlet fitting and the catch can body are powdercoated. In all fitments, the CNC machined aluminum components are unfinished, bright from machining. Components include the catch can lid, dipstick, and universal brackets. Stainless steel hardware holds the catch can together without any additional finishing.
Unlimited Wrinkle Black Finish
Our unlimited wrinkle black finish takes the powdercoated look to the next level. From top to bottom, every component of the ultimate oil catch can is coated with our wrinkle black powdercoat. Technical features are toned down, giving the ultimate a truly stealth look. Not to be confused with our stealth catch can model, the unlimited wrinkle black ultimate hides every feature of the ultimate catch can under a stealth skin.
In all fitments, the catch can body, lid, outlet fitting and dipstick are powdercoated. In universal fitments, the CNC machined brackets are also powdercoated. Stainless steel hardware holds the catch can together without any additional finishing. During the powdercoating process care is taken to maintain machined tolerances in critical areas such as seals and threads.
When offered in specific fitments, our unlimited wrinkle black finish will cover brackets, fittings, and hardware. Pictured to the right is our Mk5 2.0T FSI Solution with our unlimited wrinkle black finish. We've coated all additional accessories including our PCV Conversion Plate, PCV Plug & Tap, and Mounting Bracket. Installed, this finish provides a stealth look by masking the machined technicality of the ultimate catch can.
Last edited by Greg Roles; 30-10-2011 at 01:47 PM.
Not a full "kit" per say, but it's dead easy to hook one up. That said I think off the top of my head the R32 in the MKV is still port injection, so you are washing off the possible buildup on the valves unlike the direct injection engines. Your need for a catch can is lessened in the R32 in that case to be honest. Still, it you just want to keep your inlet clean....
42DD did have an R32 specific bracket for the basic Stealth can back in 2008, I'll drop them a line and see if it's still available. The Ultimate can will hang off the over radiator support wherever you have room, but I've seen them mounted in all sorts of places in the R32 if you google images ( use VW R32 to avoid the JDM content! ) you will see what I mean. I can supply hose and clamps, and show you where to plumb it in, but again, it's nowhere near as necessary. It basically goes between the tappet cover outlet on the back of the engine to the return into the inlet.
Here's a writeup I quickly found, obviously a MK4, but the PCV layout looks the same, perhaps a MKV R32 guru can comment there....
I am finalising a fitment video, but the main question I get asked is the setup of the hoses. I will expand on this post, but in a nutshell the hose goes from the middle port of the 42DD plate, into the bottom port of the can, back out the top port of the can, and returns to the left side plate port. Can everyone please check their hoses, it's no big deal if hooked up the other way, just not ideal flow through the can.
Last edited by Greg Roles; 04-11-2011 at 07:20 AM.
The complete FSI fitment kit in Unlimited ( entirely ) black kit is $425 and this comes in the standard "GTI" style bracket or the Golf R bracket. The Brushed or Wrinkle Black ( that is the can base ) is $399 for the FSI fitment kit.
The optional drain tap is $12, and the tap plus hose $19.
Got an order for this exact kit overnight, not you was it??
Last edited by Greg Roles; 07-11-2011 at 01:22 PM.
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