LS6 valley cover plate vs. catch can

[Steve Cole]

Looking to use a LS6 valley cover plate with the built-in PCV instead of an oil catch can on my 05' Vortec motor. Can someone tell me where to run the hose coming from the plate? I've seen the little filters on both valve covers for the intake air Thanks!

[homemade87]

This is how I run all my ls engines . I run the tbss intakes and there is a bard fitting ( 3/8") right in the top of the intake about center . The truck intake will have one also . It is normally the one that goes to the drivers side valve cover in the rear .

I have a lot better oil control running it this way .

Just a note . The ls6 valley cover does not have a pcv valve . It has a fixed orifice that controls the volume passing thru it .

[indymachinist]

The ls6 valley cover is not good enough on its own. You will still need the catch can.

[BR3W CITY]

The valley piece improves the actual path/flow, but a can is what helps pull already suspended oil out of the air.

[Steve Cole]

Dang, I was under the impression after reading the thread "Whos' running a catch can?" that I could do away with the catch can if I had the LS6 valley cover. Would I be better off returning it and getting a catch can?

[homemade87]

Pulling thru the valley is much better than pulling thru the valve covers . The oil in the valve covers is slung all over the place in a small area and is suspended and if you hook a hose to a intake it is going to pull oil from it . The valley is much larger and does not have as much oil in the air . The ls6 cover also has a better baffle to remove it .

All I can tell you is I have 4 engines with the ls6 valley covers and I no longer have to add oil between oil changes ( 1-1-1/2 qts). You may get a little but not much . If you want 100% removal use a catch can also . But I feel no need to use a catch can with my ls6 covers .

If you have a hose hooked to a valve cover you better have a catch can and be prepared to empty it often .

[Steve Cole]

I get what you're saying Homemade87 and it makes perfect sense. I'm guessing everyone who replied to this post would agree, that the valley cover is a better place to pull from than the valve covers. I guess the only disagreement between you and other posters is whether or not a catch can is needed in addition to the LS6 valley cover. I am leaning towards not using a catch can because I believe that GM addressed this issue with the LS6 cover design.

BTW... Is this where I should plumb the cover to? Thanks.

[homemade87]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

I get what you're saying Homemade87 and it makes perfect sense. I'm guessing everyone who replied to this post would agree, that the valley cover is a better place to pull from than the valve covers. I guess the only disagreement between you and other posters is whether or not a catch can is needed in addition to the LS6 valley cover. I am leaning towards not using a catch can because I believe that GM addressed this issue with the LS6 cover design.

BTW... Is this where I should plumb the cover to? Thanks.

Attachment 1703589

Yes , That is where the hose will connect from the ls6 cover .

[sprint_9]

Im running both on mine, although jumping to the ls6 valley cover is quite an upgrade and would work fine on its own most likely.

Im also running a separator on the fresh air side of the pcv system. I dont want any oil getting into my intake and you can get a small amount from the fresh air side under wide open throttle or low vacuum situations.

Ive had first hand issues directly related to the pcv system dumping crap into the intake on more than one engine. Because of this Im not taking any chances with my brand new engine in the C10.

If you do decide on a catch can, buy a decent one with the stainless steal filer inside of it. Some of them are just an empty can that doesnt really accomplish much, with the filter it helps slow and trap the contaminants in the can.

[Steve Cole]

Thank you Sprint, that is exactly what I was looking for! Do you have any pics of the catch can setup? Thanks!

[BR3W CITY]

Since I enjoy plugging my own stuff

You Tube

[Steve Cole]

Wow, is that you? I just watched that video last week!

[BR3W CITY]

Yep

[A1971Blazer]

I would weigh in but I still don't have my LS1 installed yet....
I did get a LS6 valley cover...
I plan on trying it without a can first...
there's a lot of good info about it over on the LS1.com forum....

[sprint_9]

Here is a pic of mine. I changed my intake so I have some trimming to do but you get the idea. The brand is Elite Engineering, it is very nice but also quite expensive new. I bought mine used and got a really good deal on it, if you decide to buy one of the name brand ones vs. modifying a cheaper one, I would recommend you search some forums for a nice used one. I was going to modify one originally before a I found this one used, either way works.

[sprint_9]

Drained the catch can on my 14 Silverado a couple days ago, I snapped some pics while I did it. After about 4k miles I ended up with about 8 oz's

[Steve Cole]

Wow Sprint, that is a lot of oil! More than I expected for sure. Does your Silverado have the LS6 valley cover?

[Willie Makeit]

Originally Posted by sprint_9

Drained the catch can on my 14 Silverado a couple days ago, I snapped some pics while I did it. After about 4k miles I ended up with about 8 oz's

what catch can is that? does it come will all the needed plumbing? I have a 2015 Silvy as my daily and have been considering a catch can, and yours looks like a great fit.

thanks

[sprint_9]

No Ls6 valley tray. The new LT series of engines are quite a bit different from the LS engines.

I think it does exit near the valley cover though, cant remember its been awile since I have messed with it. Also to be fair not all of that is oil, some is moisture.

[OutlawDrifter]

I have an LS6 cover on the LQ9 in my Z28. It has been in the car for 6-7 years, and doesn't "use" any oil. This car gets driven hard, it's my fun car and sees 7k rpm regularly. I also put the LS6 valley cover on the LQ4 in my '49 GMC, not enough miles on it to know yet.

No catch can on either.

[sprint_9]

Elite Engineering E2. The kit should come with everything needed. I bought mine used off of a Silverado forum, dont remember which forum now though, new they are quite spendy.

I mounted mine to the radiator bolt, it took some playing to get everything to tighten back down and be solid without putting too much pressure on the radiator bracket. I used some washers to evenly spread the load on the rubber grommet. I like it in this spot, its easy to get to, and it works good to drain as the aux battery tray holds the drain cup good so spilling isnt an issue.

[Willie Makeit]

Thanks!