Oil Catch Can talk - to baffle or not baffle
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 416
Likes: 79
From: Florida
Oil Catch Can talk - to baffle or not baffle
Hi all - thought I would post here, as the topic could be of interest across mini generations.
Theme - Non baffled vs baffled Catch Can.
Background - I have two R57s - both built engines with appropriate mods for a stage 2+ tune.
I installed an M7 Catch can in one ( before doing research ) and now am considering what to put in the other one ( both high boost cars - 1.5 bar ish ).
So the M7 is not baffled - find their quoted theory behind their construction:
Oil separation is accomplished inside the can using coalescing separation technology. This system combines the small mist droplets coming from the engine crankcase into larger and heavier drops. Gravity then pulls the heavy drops out of the flow stream and into the reservoir for collection. The cleaned airflow is then directed out of the OCC system and into the intake hose for recirculation. Test results show up to 95% of the oil is removed from the PCV system with the M7 system in place. Baffles are not required because the airflow within the PCV system is very low. (less than 1 CFM) At these extremely low flow rates baffles would not separate mist. Baffles are met to redirect flow within a closed chamber. (as in in a muffler)
I know a little about filtration - so the above seems like a theoretical cyclone/bang-bang-nuclear effect. Not sure if I would 100% accept a quote of their stated test results - as you would want a filtration lab to measure this LOL. I would much prefer a comparison between catch cans in the same set up and look for the delta and if that delta is material/meaningful. Have not found that yet - so am leaning towards getting a baffled one for my other Mini ( as long as they don't inhibit flow ). Some feedback on this site and others have observed no oil caught in the M7 ( not sure if that is the improved version or not ). Plus one gent talked with Peter at M7 - of which one of their design criteria was to keep costs down. Their test result was he used it in his car and had no fouling. In my case, I am not looking for a low cost provider design here ( kind of like buying the cheapest stint or pacemaker LOL ). Most people with baffled catch cans seem to catch much more oil ( again - this is a heuristic observation )
I know one person who uses the APR catch can on his Mini ( he fab'ed a mounting bracket and bought the hoses separately - for reasons discussed below ).
I have reached out to Mike at ECS for feedback on their baffled system - have not heard back
And there are many other brands out there too. So would be interested in recent experiences with the M7 or others.
One note - Two people with Catch Cans emphasized the need to minimize/not create extra crankcase back pressure. This could be caused by to small of a hose diameter - they used 0.75 inch hoses ( vs 0.5 or 0.625 which seems to come with the kits ). To do this - would just by a catch can that accommodates this size hose and buy the hoses separate The APR catch can does, not sure of others. Right now I am leaning towards buying the APR, separate hoses and hope I don't have to fab a mounting plate
Links:
https://m7tuning.com/m7-mini-cooper-..._5uuHZMpilRN1T
https://www.goapr.com/products/engin...parts/MS100125
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...7619ecs10~akt/
Theme - Non baffled vs baffled Catch Can.
Background - I have two R57s - both built engines with appropriate mods for a stage 2+ tune.
I installed an M7 Catch can in one ( before doing research ) and now am considering what to put in the other one ( both high boost cars - 1.5 bar ish ).
So the M7 is not baffled - find their quoted theory behind their construction:
Oil separation is accomplished inside the can using coalescing separation technology. This system combines the small mist droplets coming from the engine crankcase into larger and heavier drops. Gravity then pulls the heavy drops out of the flow stream and into the reservoir for collection. The cleaned airflow is then directed out of the OCC system and into the intake hose for recirculation. Test results show up to 95% of the oil is removed from the PCV system with the M7 system in place. Baffles are not required because the airflow within the PCV system is very low. (less than 1 CFM) At these extremely low flow rates baffles would not separate mist. Baffles are met to redirect flow within a closed chamber. (as in in a muffler)
I know one person who uses the APR catch can on his Mini ( he fab'ed a mounting bracket and bought the hoses separately - for reasons discussed below ).
I have reached out to Mike at ECS for feedback on their baffled system - have not heard back
And there are many other brands out there too. So would be interested in recent experiences with the M7 or others.
One note - Two people with Catch Cans emphasized the need to minimize/not create extra crankcase back pressure. This could be caused by to small of a hose diameter - they used 0.75 inch hoses ( vs 0.5 or 0.625 which seems to come with the kits ). To do this - would just by a catch can that accommodates this size hose and buy the hoses separate The APR catch can does, not sure of others. Right now I am leaning towards buying the APR, separate hoses and hope I don't have to fab a mounting plate
Links:
https://m7tuning.com/m7-mini-cooper-..._5uuHZMpilRN1T
https://www.goapr.com/products/engin...parts/MS100125
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...7619ecs10~akt/
Last edited by gauss66; Aug 28, 2024 at 04:13 PM. Reason: Typo
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 416
Likes: 79
From: Florida
Another option - NM Engineering | SKU: NM.498855 Billet Aluminum Catch Can. It uses baffles and 0.5 inch line. Feedback from their tech support:
As for our catch can system, it does contain a baffle followed by a stainless steel media filter.
The baffle helps to separate moisture from the air, and the media after that helps to gather any leftover gunk from the air and oil passing through.
We didn't find that we needed the larger diameter hoses. Our hoses and fittings would not accommodate anything smaller or larger than our 1/2" setup.
https://neuspeed.com/collections/min...h-can-nm498855
As for our catch can system, it does contain a baffle followed by a stainless steel media filter.
The baffle helps to separate moisture from the air, and the media after that helps to gather any leftover gunk from the air and oil passing through.
We didn't find that we needed the larger diameter hoses. Our hoses and fittings would not accommodate anything smaller or larger than our 1/2" setup.
https://neuspeed.com/collections/min...h-can-nm498855
Last edited by gauss66; Aug 30, 2024 at 04:53 AM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 36
From: Missouri
The catch can issue is an interesting one. You're right about too much back pressure, which is why I opted for a filter free can and just unrolled some copper scrubbing material to stand up in there and do the oil catching part, it's working pretty good so far. What I found to be discouraging for MINI engines is the lack of mounting options due to minimal free space and the valve cover PCV direction of flow. I'm using a 8oz Mishimoto right now and it's a bit too much for the W11 engine, it works just fine but I'd have to wait until 12000 miles before it gets anywhere close to being full, maybe that's a good thing.
After shopping around I like the 6oz Turner model that ECS is offering, mostly because it comes with a valve switch connector so you can drain it without completely uninstalling it or otherwise unscrewing the bottom portion which could create a mess. It also includes a variety of mounting brackets so you can have options during installation. It has baffles of perforated tab variety that are arranged near the entry point of the can which seems legit. I don't recommend cans with "filter" options because filters tend to get clogged, which could increase back pressure. Also, capping off the clean side of the intake and slapping a vent filter on the clean side PCV hose will go a long way to preventing back pressure without making the ecu throw codes.
I documented a good portion of the process under R50/53 Oil Catch Can (OCC) Install here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...c-install.html
After shopping around I like the 6oz Turner model that ECS is offering, mostly because it comes with a valve switch connector so you can drain it without completely uninstalling it or otherwise unscrewing the bottom portion which could create a mess. It also includes a variety of mounting brackets so you can have options during installation. It has baffles of perforated tab variety that are arranged near the entry point of the can which seems legit. I don't recommend cans with "filter" options because filters tend to get clogged, which could increase back pressure. Also, capping off the clean side of the intake and slapping a vent filter on the clean side PCV hose will go a long way to preventing back pressure without making the ecu throw codes.
I documented a good portion of the process under R50/53 Oil Catch Can (OCC) Install here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...c-install.html
Last edited by Whisky B; Oct 27, 2024 at 03:12 AM. Reason: thread reference
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: ALGERIA
Finally, if you have specific concerns about your engine performance and oil management, opt for the system that gives you the most confidence and has positive feedback
Last edited by norhmen; Feb 13, 2025 at 02:35 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post