I would say yes, you need it on the passenger side for sure. I installed mine at about 500 miles and when I did my first oil change at 1200 miles there was already some oil collected in the can. I drove another 1500 miles and 1 track day since then and there was a decent amount in there once again. I have a driver's side separator installed as well but that's been bone dry since the day I installed it. I'm happy I have it just in case, but the driver's side probably isn't too important unless you're going to be pushing the car to it's absolute limits at the track.

At least get the passenger side though. It'll catch oil even in regular street driving.

 

I would definitely install. Have collected more oil than I would have expected on passenger side. Purchased the Ford Performance catch cans and they blend in beautifully ... look like they came with the car.

 

I'm looking at adding this easy mod on my car. from what I understand an oil separator on passenger side is sufficient? Was thinking of going for the Ford Performance one (I like the fact that it's engineered to fit for our cars). Any better options I should know about? Thanks all! I'm new to the Mustang/Shelby world!

 

JLT makes ones that fit without any fuss. Have them on both sides of mine.
Just make sure you check them periodically for any oil in them.

 

thanks Michael for the headsup on JLT will check them out.

 

A dumb question: is the purpose of the catch can(s) to retrieve oil and reuse it, or to prevent oil spillage on engine?

 

Ordering both of the JLT ones today in Black. They look like the best option

 

Tex, I too went with the JLT for the passenger side as although I like the look of the Ford Performance unit better, from what I can tell you have to remove 3 bolts to drain whereas the JLT you simply unscrew the canister and dump...

 

Yes that is the difference. The JLT just unscrews rather easily.

 

The JLT is not CA Carb Certified.

 

Very true, I was speaking with JLT recently and they did tell me that. Even though they have requested that their resellers not ship to CA they can't really control it. They are working hard on getting the CARB certification, as CARB is asking what the fail safe would be if an owner forget to empty the canister? Not sure that any damage would be done or not, anyone know how Ford Performance addressed this eventuality with CARB?

 

If the canister got full then wouldn't any additional oil just get sucked into the engine just as if there was no canister?

 

Bob, my thoughts as well...except if the canister was full it might suck liquid oil into the intake? Not sure if the oil could make it through the catch can filters or not...would like to know how For Performance addressed this...

 

Is the purpose of those cans to keep us from having to clean oil residue out of the intake? If this is a critical problem, wouldn't there be a simple black plastic can installed from the factory and the owner's manual would say empty it at every oil change?

I am seeking knowledge here, not commenting on those who have installed them.

 

Yes, it is to keep the oil mist from entering the intake system. I believe the passenger side outlet dumps into the intake manifold after the throttle body and the drivers side dumps into the air intake just before (or maybe just after) the throttle body. Once the inside of the intake is coated with oil cleaning it would be big $$$.

As to why Ford didn't put the on in the factory I'm speculating that it might have to do with meeting emission requirements but someone more knowledgable than me may have better insight into this.

 

Yes you need them, why? Crankcase ventilation (PCV) contains engine oil vapor. The crankcase is vented into the intake manifold to burn along with air/fuel charge. While driving, especially spirited driving, oil is drawn into the intake and oil can start deposits on hot valves and pistons. These deposits are bad and limit engine power and efficiency.

The JLT are the easiest, but are not Cal Emission Certified. This means that places like California can make you remove them (if they even knew what they were...). Fords product is certified, but a little more trouble (3 screws...) at oil change time. Both banks vent, so both banks should get a can. A smart add.

 

Many old cars had only the dipstick tube and oil fill tube to vent pressure. Some incorporated vents in the valve covers.

What if the JLT can simply had a filter element instead of attaching to the intake? That way, the crankcase is passively vented and zero oil vapor is introduced into the intake.

If I remember correctly, Positive Crankcase Ventilation was born out of lowering emissions, rather than to boost performance.

I am in Florida, and we don't have annual car inspections so maintaining emissions compliance is more of a moral question than a legal one.

 

I suspect that without positive crankcase ventilation you might have issues such as failure of the crank seals.

 

To report back on my JLT (passenger side) oil catch can. I just checked it yesterday and after approx. 400 miles the can was about 20% filled. While I didn't expect that much oil with only 400 miles, very happy that's not being sucked back into the intake/valves/combustion chamber. The car doesn't appear to be burning any oil (I have about 900 miles on it to date) as the oil level is still showing right at full.

 

Roughly the same experience with my pass side JLT.

 

But the Ford unit looks finished and secures to valve cover.

 

This is a great thread, I learned a lot.

I just ordered both the driver's & passenger's side Ford kits

 

I just ordered both Ford kits also. Like the factory look. Had the JLT ones on my 07 Mustang. The JLT ones work great and fit well. Just wanted to go factory this time.

 

Jim I noticed that you inverted the upper hose too (opposite what the installation instructions show). Any issues that you’ve noticed? I just installed my FP can yesterday and found that inverting the hose is a lot less work and no kink at the 90 degree bend. Thanks.

 

Hello. Sorry for being ignorant, but what the heck is this catch can thing? Just purchased GT350 2 weeks ago....and not sure what this is for, etc?.. need Catch Can for Dummies” lesson please.

 

The crankcase in any engine creates a positive pressure internally. Most seals, gaskets, and such aren’t designed for a pressurized system. That pressure needs to be vented. Back in our dads day, that’s pressure was vented out of the crankcase via a breather cap of some sorts straight to atmosphere. Along comes the late ‘70’s and the EPA and decides that’s not so good for the environment. So, that pressure is vented through a PCV valve (positive crankcase ventilation) back into the intake track somewhere, into the combustion chaimbsr, and out the exhaust pipe. Cleaner for the environment than venting straight out to atmosphere. Since it’s plummed into the intake, it also has the added benefit of creating a slight vacuum to draw that pressure out of the crankcase. This is a good thing for seals and rings.

The bad part is, along with the venting and the vacuum, that air being drawn from the crankcase contains quite a bit of oil mist suspended in the air. The oil ends up in the intake, coating everything in a layer of oil. Especially bad where and when it gets baked to the top of intake valves. The oil also wreaks total havoc on the octane rating of your fuel since it ends up in the combustion chamber.

These catch cans have a metal plate, screen, or some other clever design that unsuspends the oil from the air traveling through. Designs vary, but the basic function is the same. The component that removes the oil, collects it in this “catch can”. The oil content falls out of suspension from the traveling air and clean air continues on into the intake after passing through the can.

It probably doesn’t remove 100% of the oil, but probably darn near close. Enough to make them a valuable asset, and a mandatory first mod IMO.

 

Nice explanation galaxy.

 

Ok. Cool. So is this needed if just a DD? No track use, etc? Also, do you need dr and pass side? Any warranty issues? Thx!

 

Yes; any and every car benefits from a catch can regardless of use. That oil is always there regardless of use, RPM, driving habits, etc. Always a benefit. Just right (passenger) side. Left side doesn't do diddly squat except under the most extreme track conditions. Most guys with a can on the left report that it's completely bone dry.

 

Mine's also a DD and I'm installing a pass side JLT only.

 

Seems that Ford Performance hasn’t made a passenger side catch can for 2018 models yet....

 

Yes they have. They’re all the same.