How To Install EUROCOMPULSION Catch Can Kit

51975 Views 153 Replies 45 Participants Last post by heyemer, Oct 4, 2021

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · Jun 27, 2017 (Edited)

8

How To Install EUROCOMPULSION Catch Can Kit

Overview:
Owners have reported finding oil in their intakes, especially on vehicles driven in a spirited fashion. Since oil coating the intercooler reduces its efficiency and leaves a mess around the intake, a catch can is a good solution to keeping oil out of the intake. This tutorial walks you through the installation of the EUROCOMPULSION Catch Can kit on a manual transmission 124 Spider.

Tools Required:
- 12mm socket & ratchet
- 4mm hex bit
- Recommended: Hose Clamp Pliers (Available on Amazon.com)
- Optional: Ft-lb & in-lb torque wrench.

Notes:
- You can open hose clamps with regular pliers, but I've found that using hose clamp pliers makes it far easier to work with them and reduces the risk of them slipping off and flying in random directions. This is a tool every home mechanic should have available.
- EUROCOMPULSION supplies worm gear hose clamps for the installation of this kit, which are just fine for this application. I sourced my own hose clamps since I prefer using them over worm gear hose clamps.

Part Required:
EUROCOMPULSION FIAT 124 Spider Catch Can Kit

Procedure:
1. Begin by removing the hose connected by the following hose clamps:

2. Install the supplied catch can hoses where the OEM hose used to be:

Reference this picture for steps 3-7:

3. Remove the 12mm bolt to the left of the brake lines and loosely tighten the supplied bracket.

4. Attach the other ends of the hoses to the catch can. Note: it doesn't matter which way they are connected.

5. Attach the catch can to the bracket using the supplied 4mm hex bolts.

6. Tighten the 12mm bolt to approximately 25 ft-lb.

7. Tighten the hex bolts to approximately 25 in-lb.

8. Once you're done, it should look like this:

Note: You can change the orientation of the catch can to suit your preferences, but I found this alignment worked best.

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[email protected]

· #2 · Jun 27, 2017

I think I put somewhere close to 1400-1600 miles on the car this past weekend for the Twisted Sisters drive. Many of those miles were full tilt on open road and at very high speeds.

By the time we arrived back, Jordan checked the catch can and it was pretty full. Reminded us how useful it really is!

Thanks for the great write up!

Reactions: 3

Greg

· #3 · Jun 29, 2017

[email protected] said:
I think I put somewhere close to 1400-1600 miles on the car this past weekend for the Twisted Sisters drive. Many of those miles were full tilt on open road and at very high speeds.

By the time we arrived back, Jordan checked the catch can and it was pretty full. Reminded us how useful it really is!

This just goes to show how much driving style can affect the rate at which oil accumulates in the catch can. In normal usage it's not much. Typically after about 1000 miles of normal but let's say spirited street driving, I'll see perhaps one or two fluid oz of oil in there, meaning not much.

At the Twisted Sisters event, Toby and Bryan from NGen drove that car like they were in the Cannonball Run. It's a long story, but they had to go a long way really fast to pick up a U-Haul before they closed. Under that type of driving, not only does the engine throw out a lot more oil, but it doesn't get a chance to drain back from the lines into the engine before entering the can. Thus they were able to fill the can in about 1000 miles of driving.

I am really happy with the functionality of this product.

Greg

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Lord_GalAthon

· #4 · Jul 4, 2017

Is this recommended for everyone? Looks like an easy DIY for such an improvement.

compactdan

· #5 · Jul 4, 2017

What's the fitting at the catch can for? Are the hoses different sizes?

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 5, 2017

Lord_GalAthon said:
Is this recommended for everyone? Looks like an easy DIY for such an improvement.

To keep the intercooler clean long-term, I would recommend it for everyone. It's an affordable mod with real benefits and an easy install.

compactdan said:
What's the fitting at the catch can for? Are the hoses different sizes?

Yes, the hose ends on the other side are different sizes, so the fitting (which is included in the kit) steps down to a smaller size.

CANABARTH

· #7 · Jul 5, 2017

HI, where is the oil coming from ? is this oil supposed to return to the engine or lube the Turbo ? If the oil is not caught where does it end up ?

Sorry for the questions, but this seems bad Engineering from FCA !

Greg

· #8 · Jul 5, 2017

CANABARTH said:
HI, where is the oil coming from ?

It escapes out the breather due to crank case pressure. Most of it is caught by the factory air/oil seperator, but some makes it past, and from there goes through the turbo and then the intercooling system and ultimately into the combustion chamber.

CANABARTH said:
is this oil supposed to return to the engine or lube the Turbo ?

No absolutely not. It serves no practical function once it escapes, it simply contaminates things and ultimately burns up in combustion.

CANABARTH said:
If the oil is not caught where does it end up ?

See previous answers.

CANABARTH said:
Sorry for the questions, but this seems bad Engineering from FCA !

I wouldn't call it bad engineering. The stock system, like everything else on every car is designed to function within certain parameters and at a certain cost. That's where the aftermarket comes in. We can make it better, but at some cost.

Greg

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What'sHisName?

· #9 · Aug 17, 2017

Is the stock air/oil separator basically just a smaller catch can than the Eurocompulsion version? If so, what happens to the oil that accumulates there? Does it have to be periodically drained?

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 17, 2017

What'sHisName? said:
Is the stock air/oil separator basically just a smaller catch can than the Eurocompulsion version? If so, what happens to the oil that accumulates there? Does it have to be periodically drained?

It automatically drains back into the sump as oil vapor is condensed.

SJWhiteley

· #11 · Aug 18, 2017

The only issue I see with this install is if you have the hood lift kit installed: the lift attachment uses the same bolt to mount the catch can support bracket.

(I believe that blanking plate is for the 'explosive bolts' on euro cars which lift the rear of the hood in a collision).

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ameridan

· #12 · Aug 18, 2017

So does the catch can have to be removed to drain it? Is there a valve?

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 18, 2017

ameridan said:
So does the catch can have to be removed to drain it? Is there a valve?

The bottom unscrews from the catch can like a cup.

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stevet

· #14 · Aug 18, 2017 (Edited)

Ameridan- the can simply unscrews from the top lid that has the hoses attached to it. Once unscrewed from the top, it's like looking inside of a black soup can. If there is any oil inside, pour it out and re-install.

I'm a fairly tame driver. Mine has been installed for about 3000 miles. I've removed the can twice for inspection. The first time I found nothing but a faint smear of oily film in the can. A recent second check showed no more had accumulated.

Strange, though. I changed the motor oil a week or two ago at 5000 miles. I had to remove the EC V1 air tube (which I installed at my 1000 mile oil change, and at which time I cleaned a few drops of oil from the turbo inlet) to get to the oil filter. Being parked overnight, there was the equiv. of about 2 or 3 drops of motor oil settled on the inlet edge of the turbo unit, but none inside the V1 air tube. Nothing more than the film in the catch can, but a couple drops still inside the turbo inlet? Again, about 1000 miles of driving was done with the V1 in place before the catch can was installed, but 3000 miles have gone by with the can installed. I can't imagine those drops have been sitting there for 4000 miles (since an air tube was touched at my 1000 mile maintenance) without slowly being eaten by the turbo. Everything is properly piped. Any thoughts on this? I'll see it again at my winter shut down oil change in November.

Steve.

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depotdan

· #15 · Aug 19, 2017

2

I am in the process of installation. Purchased my catch can from eBay for $40.00. it is a 2 chamber unit and I have installed a stainless steel filter in the primary chamber I fabricated my bracket from 1-1/2" steel bar stock from the Home Depot. I also have the hood lift kit, so that mounting point was gone. I used an existing hole forward of it and installed a 1/4" threaded insert. Waiting for my -AN hose material to show up, so that I can plumb it.

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depotdan

· #16 · Aug 19, 2017

Repost picture.

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JFernald

· #17 · Aug 19, 2017

stevet said:
Ameridan- the can simply unscrews from the top lid that has the hoses attached to it. Once unscrewed from the top, it's like looking inside of a black soup can. If there is any oil inside, pour it out and re-install.

I'm a fairly tame driver. Mine has been installed for about 3000 miles. I've removed the can twice for inspection. The first time I found nothing but a faint smear of oily film in the can. A recent second check showed no more had accumulated.

Strange, though. I changed the motor oil a week or two ago at 5000 miles. I had to remove the EC V1 air tube (which I installed at my 1000 mile oil change, and at which time I cleaned a few drops of oil from the turbo inlet) to get to the oil filter. Being parked overnight, there was the equiv. of about 2 or 3 drops of motor oil settled on the inlet edge of the turbo unit, but none inside the V1 air tube. Nothing more than the film in the catch can, but a couple drops still inside the turbo inlet? Again, about 1000 miles of driving was done with the V1 in place before the catch can was installed, but 3000 miles have gone by with the can installed. I can't imagine those drops have been sitting there for 4000 miles (since an air tube was touched at my 1000 mile maintenance) without slowly being eaten by the turbo. Everything is properly piped. Any thoughts on this? I'll see it again at my winter shut down oil change in November.

Steve.

Based on my understanding of Bernoulli's principle, the edge of the turbo inlet creates a pressure differential in that area that causes oil to be deposited there. If there is no oil in the V1 intake or in the filter box, you should have no concerns. The quantity of oil getting into the combustion chamber would be minuscule.

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Not Sure

· #18 · Aug 19, 2017

You may have to remount that

depotdan said:
Repost picture.

Can and position the nipples to face forward. The bend on that hose will be too severe to freely allow the air to flow to the can. Over time, the hose will begin to fail ,due to constant heat exposure, and could possibly collapse, which will cause pressure back up and blown gaskets. Will that happen tomorrow, no...will it happen next year...no..but it will happen...
Pleas post pictures of finished project. Plus I would like to see the stainless steel filter material you used... be absolutely sure it is well secured in that can, preferably with some fine screen mesh, because if any is that stainless dislodge and fly into the turbo, I can't even imagine the horror of that consequence...
Good luck
Not Sure:laugh:

Not Sure

· #19 · Aug 19, 2017

Exactly Right!!

JFernald said:
Based on my understanding of Bernoulli's principle, the edge of the turbo inlet creates a pressure differential in that area that causes oil to be deposited there. If there is no oil in the V1 intake or in the filter box, you should have no concerns. The quantity of oil getting into the combustion chamber would be minuscule.

You hit the nail on the head...Bernoulli's principal is what makes airplanes fly...and of course no one can argue it has the same effect on our little spiders!! LOL..:laugh::laugh:

68wooley

· #20 · Aug 19, 2017

Not Sure said:
You hit the nail on the head...Bernoulli's principal is what makes airplanes fly...and of course no one can argue it has the same effect on our little spiders!! LOL..:laugh::laugh:

As a private pilot, I can assure you that what actually makes airplanes fly is money. Lots and lots of money. That and the occasional prayer...

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