Oil Catch Can Decisions

I'm debating on getting an oil catch can for my ca18 and retire the messy breather filter.
Anyone know what the differences are between one that has a filter on top of it, vs one that is totally sealed?
http://www.atpturbo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=tp&Product_Code=ATP-ACS-003&Category_Code=BCS
or
https://secure5.nexternal.com/greddy/images/oil%20catch%20tank.jpg
Is one "type" better than the other? Anyone know why you would want or need a filter on top like that?

Filter is necessary if you don't run the output tube back to the intake hose.

Stock setup runs the hose to the intake hose just before the turbo. For emmissions reasons some catchcans have two connections, one leads to valvecover, one back to the original place the OEM setup lead to. the breather at the top lets you eliminate the hose leading to the intake, and yet still allows for the pressure differential to exist.
Personally I think they are a waste, if yu buy the right breather filter it is reuseable and cleanable, and doesnt get all that messy anyways, and looks better.But some race sanctioning bodes require the use of a catchcan. So you have to know what you need. I'm not racig SCCA yet so I guess I don't need one.

if yu buy the right breather filter it is reuseable and cleanable, and doesnt get all that messy anyways, and looks better.
You still get an oily film everywhere over time regardless of how good it is.....thats what my problem is. The first link of the one with the filter on top has both an inlet and outlet for hoses.

That's because the one with the first link gives you the option of both. Do you care about emissions? Then take off the filter, plug the top, androute backto the intake hose as normal. If you don't care about emissions, then plug one of the two inlets/outlets and just run one hose to the tank, leaving the filter on top. Either way you will have to periodically drain it.

I had a breather on my 4G63 DSM for awhile,yeah I got a little bit of oily residue over time(not much at all tho), but I have a nitfty powdercoated valvecover (NOT painted) and any ol' single napkin from Mc Donald's or Taco Bell will intantly restore it to perfecton with a single wipe. I guess it's only a concern for you painted cover peeps. I have a seconf CA18ET valvecover that I'm stripping next week and sendng off to the powdercoater.

It's gonna be my trademark red with black lettering. :mrgreen:

I see no reason to have a filter, it's much neater to return to the inlet pipe after the catch can, most ppl will have a gap left there by the original breather pipe anyways and you avoid any oily film at all, no matter how easy it is to remove. Besides atmo venting catch cans are illegal in alot of areas.

I guess it's only a concern for you painted cover peeps.
Nope, my valve cover still is perfectly shiney from when I painted it about 3 years ago with 4 coats of 1200 degree engine paint with ceramic.
I think I'll get the sealed type catch can if I get one.
From what I can tell, none of the catch cans have any kind of baffle in them, it's just an empty can.......my question is do these things really work? Won't the blow-by just go in one hole, and get sucked out the other hole, and back into the intake stream?

I have a oil catch can exactly like the one you posted in the link. I also have the filter bit covered with a nice plug.

http://www.atpturbo.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Catalog%20Images/Accessories/CatchCan-225225.jpg

You can have it for $50AUD to your door if you want as I dont want it nemore.
Its too big for my engine bay. NEVER USED

I can get pics if need be.

Just a thought :D

Usually they are baffled and packed with guaze, except on my fooly sik dori car where it'll be a coke bottle with a hoze taped to one end.

Im doing similar with a Stella Artois beer can..