Just thought I would post a few pics of my PCV bypass for anyone interested in doing the same. For those who dont know, this is a mod to stop the problem of a smoking exhaust on the racetrack caused by oil being sucked into the plenum through the passenger side exhaust cam cover under hard right turns. This mod is really only nessesary for people who track their zed. First up I pulled the plenum and all cam covers as my exhaust covers have been leaking slightly ever since I have owned the car (8 years!) and I thought it was about time I fixed them. As I no longer have the EGR which I removed the first time I pulled the plenum, I had the plenum removed in under 40 mins this time. I purchased 1 extra drivers side PCV hose from coz and fitted both the hoses with a barbed joiner from pirtek. The other side connects to a 75cm length of hose also from pirtek. I used 1/4 bsp barbed fittings from pirtek which I tapped into the intake cam covers.(before fitting to engine!) I then shook well to remove any metal fillings and washed out thoughrouly with degreaser. Total cost of parts from pirtek was $22. I had the cam covers, balance bar and coilpack brackets powdercoated red. The exhaust cam covers are resealed with rtv as well as resealing the VTC solenoids which were leaking out the back. The intake cam covers have rubber seals/gaskets which were replaced on my last plenum pull so I reused these. On the passenger side exhaust cover, I swiveled the rear fitting around so they face each other and then joined them together with a short piece of hose. Alternativly you could remove these altogether, tap a thread and fit a plug. I also removed the baffle inside this cover as it is no longer required. I also removed the metal pipe that goes along the back of the engine for the PCV system just to tidy things up. Plenum reinstalled and hoses from PCV's connected to intake cam covers, drivers side pcv goes to drivers side intake. I decided to refit the cable cover which required a small notch to be cut in each side of the cover to clear the pcv hoses. Finished! I also took the opportunity to do a few small jobs like replacing the bastard drivers side turbo hose, replaced a few plugs on the harness and fitted new hoses on the front of the cam covers.
Very very nice John, not sure about the reddish orange colour but looks very very neat well done mate. Might have to get you round for a BBQ (code for help with plenum pull and pcv bypass) You didnt fit a catchcan? Cheers J
The colour is supposed to be 'signal red' and does look a bit more red in person, the pics were taken at night with a flash. I was hoping to have it a bit darker red though As far as a catch can goes, this reroute is what most of the guys in the US who track their car do. It keeps the system closer to stock and requires no ongoing maintainance.(like emptying a catch can) The only downside to this is you need to remove the cam covers but its easy if you are doing a plenum pull at the same time.
Great work JT... Looks factory I'm assuming all your bits are red, as they look orange in most of the pics. Very neat engine bay :zlove:
Looks good JT Giving me ideas now hehe So pretty much the hose from the PCV hose goes all the way to the cam cover on each side... Also what type of hose did you use? It does look orange but i take it as the flash made it look orange... The engine bay is very tidy now well done
Very good work JT, nice lids. Wizard did the same thing before the disassembly. Does this reduce the need for an oil catch can? PS; vote for tech.
I got the hose that pirtek reccommended, not sure what its called. It basically will only carry fumes so I dont think you need anything too special.
Nice Job JT As Ports said ive done the same thing, but i also added a catch can running off the front pipes of the inlet cam covers. will see if its needed after a couple of track days.
i love it!!!!!!!!!!!! vote! p.s i really like the way you only have the middle pipes polished with the outer ones black....mmm ideas
yep .. but yours are a very questionable puce/pink ..!!! .. yep, black baz is back ...!!!!!! ... lol....
just a silly Q wouldnt it have been easier to use the breather pipes at the front of the same cam covers? could using that front breather pipe and into a T piece feed both into the intake pipes and around to the PCV's ?? just havin a thought there...
Yes its Possibly better to use the front pipes, the PVC's are closed under throttle anyway. The pic shows where I have my catch can placed, nicely below the front pipes, just waiting on some inspiration for the best way top hook it up.
No, you need to leave those front hoses in place, the system wont ventilate properly the way you describe.
how is it any different ? both feed from the same cam cover so in effect the cam cover itself is the T piece in your setup JT..
Actually it can be done that way, what you are describing is the "stillen pcv race upgrade" found here: http://home.swipnet.se/e-solutions/StillenPCV.html Same as what you said except uses a check valve between the intake and the T piece. This one has been around a while and is easier because you dont need to remove the cam covers, however most of the track guys in the US now use the setup like I have as It ventilates the crankcase better.
yeh i thought it was possible im going to do one or the other before the nationals depends how lazy i am between now and then plus got more tuning to do and so on lol ive also got an oil cooler and lines to install also man it never ends
Nice work mate! Giving me ideas mate! Like the idea of getting rid of catch can although cams usually ask for one in some instances! BTW how much was the powder coating and where did you get it done? MattB
