UPR oil catch can drain mod project

[trailblazer]

After installing UPR’s $135 catch can kit into my ‘15 XL 5.3, I started to get sick of draining this thing so frequently. In fact, every time I do it I discover that the little cup is nearly full. I live in central WI so it is cold here and I get a ton of condensation. Many threads in this forum discuss the cons of living in a cold climate and the amount of water in the crankcase. Regardless, I didn’t want to spend the extra $$$ to get UPR’s taller and more voluminous catch can. I decided to installed a cheap ball valve for a few bucks. 1/4-18 tap and a 7/16 drill bit. Permatex Aviation Form-A-Gasket (fuel and oil resistant) and some vinyl tubing. The plan will be to mount some sort of portable tank on the drivers side battery tray (probably an Amsoil 4qt square jug) that I can drain into. Hell I might leave the valve open as the jug will be air tight.

UPR Kit $135+tax (I highly recommend. Easy installation). I like the inside guts of this thing versus the Chinese crap:

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Valve kit $5.75/ea if you buy two:

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You’ll need a 7/16” drill and a 1/4-18 (NPT) tap. Note how far deep I had to go with the tap. I’d get a can of cutting fluid.

Photos:

 

[trailblazer]

More photos:

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Great work and description of the process and tools required. Much appreciated.

That is a lot of condensation that it collected in your catch can. My catch can captures approximately 1 fl oz per 1000 miles, here in NH.

 

[trailblazer]

Yeah the amount of condensation isn’t unique to my vehicle either; I have a ‘09 Tahoe that outputs cups of water on a regular basis during the winter months (separate thread here https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/catch-can.132368/).

IIRC, UPR wants a small fortune to upgrade the cup size to something about 2x the size of the already small cup. I like UPR’s design over the Chinesium variants and the ease of installation. Maybe they could drill & tap the bottom of their cups to allow for an overflow drain. For those dealing with a lot of moisture, this could be dire as if that cup freezes overnight, it will crack.

 

[number9]

How does this can compare to the JLT can?

 

[89Suburban]

Nice write up!

 

[trailblazer]

How does this can compare to the JLT can?

The installation was very easy and comes with OEM style connectors. The can size isn’t large at all though. If you live in an area that doesn’t have many fridges cold days then this might due. But I cannot emphasize enough that if you’re in the cold great white north then get a quality kit with a huge tank or due the mod I did to have it dump into a 1-gal jug. I am considering fumbling around with an oil resistant check valve that would automatically empty when the engine is off (and pulling no vacuum).

 

[Rocket Man]

Nice work. But for $135 I would think it comes with a ball valve on the bottom. The Elite Engineering one I bought has it.

 

[trailblazer]

How much is that one? I didn’t really shop around much. The price delta is insane on these. From $15 to $500.

 

[Rocket Man]

How much is that one? I didn’t really shop around much. The price delta is insane on these. From $15 to $500.

It looks like they’re closer to $230 for the ‘14- up. I spent a bit more- mines a dual exit port plus has a clean side separator because supercharger. Plus I had “ The Beast” engraved on it and had them pc it in red instead of black because +10 hp for red.

E2 Catch Can

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