Let’s Play Catch

29 Jun Let’s Play Catch

So, in normal Fluid fashion, the E90 is once again apart. Don’t worry, it’s just for a minor cosmetic improvement. But now we can take pictures of the catch can by itself!

For those not in the know, an oil catch can aids the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system. Normally, oil vapor and blow-by gases (gas that blows through the combustion chamber, past the piston rings and into the crankcase) are routed through the PCV system, out of the crankcase and back into the combustion chamber, where they are used in combustion and removed as exhaust. Over time, the oil vapors can thicken along the walls of the PCV system, creating a gunk that will necessitate a thorough cleaning of the system. This is where the catch can comes in. The catch can is placed inbetween the crankcase and the intake in the PCV system. It’s built such that the oil vapor will travel through some steel wool (or other material) inside the catch can, and that gunk will be caught by the catch can, collecting there until the driver empties the catch can of all the nasty buildup inside. The resulting vapors can then either be sent to the intake system, or vented into the atmosphere. Draining a catch can is an easy technique (so long as the catch can is easily removable), and is usually done at the same time as an oil change. This might not be the easiest to remove, but it’s going to take so long for this catch can to even fill up, that we’ll have engineered a completely new can by then. No harm, no foul.

To complement the lack of FMU-specific branding on the stacks, we went with a very tasteful sandblast design of our logo.

At the business end of the catch can, we’ve got two black A/N fittings for both engine banks, along with another thimble filter for ventilation to the atmosphere.

As always, just because this part of the can faces the firewall, doesn’t mean we don’t care about the weld quality or fit and finish. Attention to detail is key.

Connection to solid ground is made by the way of the two “legs” of the can that bolt to part of the throttle bodies.

And the polish, ohhhhh the polish. Can’t forget about that. It contrasts against the more matte-like finish of the stacks’ arms, but isn’t so shiny that it’ll blind people at an outdoor car show. Although…

Finally, today’s been a complete whirlwind over at the FMU office. First, we appeared on Top Gear’s front page. Now, we’re on the front page of Jalopnik, which your humble narrator has been reading and worshipping for years. It’s a truly humbling experience to be bumping elbows with the Internet’s biggest and greatest car blogs, and we’re excited for the coverage.

Also, we’re now sponsors on High Speed Exotics, a new forum that we’re excited to start working with. Go over there and sign up and start spouting stuff off. It’s been a big week at Fluid, and we can’t wait to keep this momentum going for some time!