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:

Pardon Our Interruption...

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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

Looking for oil catch cans and other aftermarket car parts online for your vehicle? Shop Elite Engineering for the best parts available today!

www.eliteengineeringusa.com

 

[dnt1010]

Looks like UPR has has an option for a drain plug but it is like a 30 dollar add. I just ordered one without the drain knowing that I can easily drill / tap and add a valve if needed. Will depend upon the frequency of having to empty it if Ido that or not. Old 6.0 at 264k has a lot of piston blow-by and makes some hefty gnat smoke at times plus she will foul a spark plug occasionally LOL. Just want to make her last a few more years if possible.

 

[maxpsi]

Would there be any downside to leaving the drain open all the time?

 

[Thrust]

Would there be any downside to leaving the drain open all the time?

Yes you will have a vacuum leak in the system and your vehicle will idle weird trying to compensate for it. Also you will be pulling in unfiltered air into the system through the catch can.

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

Great discussion, as always. Thank you TYForum members.

Took a quick look at provided eliteengineering.com link from post#10 and came across the "New GM Truck E2000 Catch Can."
https://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/new-gm-truck-e2000-catch-can/
My ext. warranty is up in about 13k miles; oil catch can is probably the first thing I will add-on once it expires...

Safe Travels!

 

[maxpsi]

I put the valve on the end of the drain line. It can be accessed through the driver’s side fender well.