GrimmSpeed Air/Oil Separator!!
 

Just surfing the interweb and found a GrimmSpeed Air/Oil Separator and was wondering if it would work with mazda since it was listed as Subie specific, so being the noob i am i emailed them and this is there response,

"Actually we have had a car in and out of the shop doing some initial fitting and sizing for your specific car. We really want to jump into the Mazda 3 world and hopefully within the next month will be done with testing and coming near releasing a product! The only reason you can't use the suby one is that thread size is different. Thanks so much for the interest, it really helps us out to know that there are guys out there looking for this!"

SO then i replied told them about this forum told them to check it out and see if there was as much interest as i have shown. Hopefully this isn't something that has already been posted and/or doesn't get bashed to harshly because i think it would be much better alternative to catch cans.

what do you guys think...here is LINK to there product for subie platforms
GrimmSpeed

I inquired about their AOS some time ago and at the time it was on their to do list but not really on top... nice to hear it hasn't been forgotten. I think there is a thread about it on 6club somewhere. I'm curious to see how their product will cope with the timing chain shooting oil up towards the oil refill location where I assume the AOS will be positioned.

Ohh we have not forgotten about this one! Just doing a great deal of R&D before we release anything. I do not have an exact ETA as of yet but we will keep you informed once these are ready to roll!

Will

this is a great invention and im sure some baffling can overcome any of the chain sling

It looks very good.

Sweet!

i don't know what the chain sling is, assuming timing chain right? but i hope it wouldn't be a big obstacle in making this work for us

Ill buy one for sure when it comes out!!

yeah me too, i was gonna look for a catch can set-up just because a few local guys tell me its a good idea to have one, and ran across this. i am now awaiting this, PATIENTLY...lol

I want this too!

Pardon my French on how this this works, as I've just looked at the WRX install PDF file. The main fear I would have with this is the location of the AOS unit. It apparently is taking crankcase air/oil that could be CONTAMINATED with fuel vapor and all the crufty stuff that shows up in catch-cans, and putting it into your CLEAN OIL crankcase. Essentially, it seems to me be to recirculating contaminated oil vapor to your clean oil, which will degrade the oil sheer qualities over time. Has Grimmspeed done any long-term used-oil-analysis on these things over time? Or, am I way off base here?

Suggestion would be to measure UOA's at various mileage intervals, under different driving conditions, and on different WRX's over time to come up with any indication of oil sheer and/or other oil related problems.

To me, it would seem like emptying your oil catch can directly back into your crankcase instead of collecting it to dump it out...... Sort of like pissing into your own mouth because you are thirsty...... Thanks. I will keep my $50 catch can, if that's the case. The only thing that should go into the oil filler cap is fresh oil. If that AOS isn't going to collect or burn any of the vapor, I certainly wouldn't want it going BACK into my fresh oil. If the amount of contamination from WRX's is miniscule in comparison to an MS3, then OK, maybe this will work...... on a WRX...... Judging by how often folks empty their catch-cans, and what's inside, combined with the dirty-burning DISI motor, I wouldn't take the risk of doing the AOS without some UOA's over time for proof of concept on an MS3. And since they changed around the PCV functionality on the 2008-9's, compared to the 2007's, that same research should be done on 2007 MS3s, and 2008-9 later models, separately. I believe even the 2010's PCV systems are somewhat different again. Mine's a 2009, so I don't cruise the 2010 engine threads.

i would think that fuel vapor would be part of what is separated in the whole AIR/OIL separator.. you bring up a good point but pretty sure if its how you are looking at it, it wouldn't be a product so established in other car platforms. grimmspeed any input??

$300 , wow this seems steep for what it is. You could buy 2 super high quality catch cans for like $200, looks like they should include a tube of KY with this to ease the pain

looks nice subbing for the technical info

Subaru WRX and STi Forum Modification Tuning Discussion Forums - WRXModders.com - View topic - Air/oil separators 101. What sets them apart from catch cans

subie forum of member explaining it very layman termed. doesn't necessarily address cudaman's questions but still very good write up.

(flyrevs2) like he says catch can's help with blow by but still don't help with oil consumption, plus there isn't emptying your catch can ever again theoretically

If im reading this correctly the only benefit of this is reduced oil consumption. OCC's still sound like they solve the blow by problem. Correct me if im reading this wrong.

i don't know enough about it, i am awaiting more input from grimmspeed or anyone that has used them before. i know they are very popular in tons of other platforms mustangs, subies, supras, etc.
i know compressors and generators use them as well not catch cans..lol

You guys have some bad assumptions, the first is that Mazda can do anything right. The second is that the fuel that comes into the crankcase as blowby remains a vapor because it doesnt cool off enough to condense in the crankcase, lines, and seperator.

As long as the oil in the crankcase remains above 220*F the fuel will always be a vapor and will not be suspended in the oil. The real problem with our fuel shear is that we have a oil cooler that uses the engine coolant which is 190*F so our oil never gets hot enough to completely purge itself of fuel.

You guys are also assuming that the catch cans are catching all the fuel, but that isnt correct bacause any fuel vapor will go through it as well.

that is why i love this forum. for real. sounds about right, not to mention my oil temp at sensor in spin on plate hardly ever gets above 205~210 driving hard in over 100 degree super humid days here in florida then as soon as i let off for a couple mins its back around 180-190. our oil cooler almost works too good. lol

This car really needs a stout fucking motor oil, which is why I swear by Rotella.