Vent To Atmosphere Breathers?

[fmj]

Hi, I would like to VTA the three breathers on the engine of my classic. For two reasons really, firstly to tidy up the engine bay. Secondly to stop dirty air going into the car.

The only thing that is stopping me is a niggling feeling that they may be set up the way they are for a reason. I.e. the oilly air lubricates things along the way perhaps. Are there any downsides to VTA breathers? I would rather have them VTA then a catch can really.

Edit* Just reading about the fact that air is drawn back into the crank case and rockers so VTA can mean unfiltered air being sucked into the engine. Doesn't sound all that clever. I might give it a miss.

Edited April 27, 2008 by FMJ

[luke_clifton]

Hi, I would like to VTA the three breathers on the engine of my classic. For two reasons really, firstly to tidy up the engine bay. Secondly to stop dirty air going into the car.

The only thing that is stopping me is a niggling feeling that they may be set up the way they are for a reason. I.e. the oilly air lubricates things along the way perhaps. Are there any downsides to VTA breathers? I would rather have them VTA then a catch can really.

Edit* Just reading about the fact that air is drawn back into the crank case and rockers so VTA can mean unfiltered air being sucked into the engine. Doesn't sound all that clever. I might give it a miss.

I've looked up about VTA breathers in the past, and from going by what Andy Forrest's site says, there only plumbed back into the intake system for 'Green' reasons. But if you're running a decat, then it's totally pointless to run the vapours back into the system, and can actully reduce your fuel octane as it enters the cylinders.

Most people tend to use a oil catch tank, with wire wool inside to prevent vapour drawback. But you can buy crankcase breather filters. Pipercross sell them.