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View Full Version : How Does This PCV System Work ?



FordNut
04-18-2008, 06:45 AM
I asked about this awhile back but had no pics, so maybe this time I'll ge a little more discussion going.

This is the PCV hose assembly used on Cobra, Trilogy, Whipple, and I assume even Kenne Bell roots or twin screw supercharger systems...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/5/1/8/tn_CIMG0626.JPG

The small hose at the bottom right of the picture goes to the bottom of the intake manifold, after the supercharger and intercooler. The end with the PCV valve goes to the valve cover. The other end goes to the inlet plenum between the throttle body and supercharger inlet.

With this setup, there should always be some level of vacuum to the crankcase through the PCV valve. Under low load/non-boost conditions the vacuum should be higher on the bottom side of the manifold, so it should be pulling vapors into the combustion chambers through that path. I suppose the bypass valve is open at this time so it would still be pulling part of the vapors through the port in the plenum. Under boost conditions, the supercharger should be pulling at least a little bit of vacuum at its inlet, so the vapors can go through the supercharger and intercooler to be burned in combustion. I believe that explains the PCV part.

So under boost, it looks like a boost bypass is always present from the bottom of the manifold to the inlet plenum. I asked awhile back if there is a check valve in the bottom hose to prevent this and found that there is not one in that path, only the PCV valve. It appears to me that it would be easy to increase boost by installing a check valve in the hose to the bottom of the manifold. Any problems with this? Maybe under boost the airflow through the hose back to the inlet plenum blows out any accumulated oil in the bottom hose and fitting in hopes of vaporizing it and burning it? Wouldn't that foul the intercooler/heat exchanger?

Why not add a solenoid valve so you could have a high boost/low boost adjustment by flipping a switch instead of changing pulleys? Of course you would probably want to have a flip-chip for quick and easy change of tunes also to accomodate the different boost levels.

Any of this make sense? Comments, please?

Zack
04-18-2008, 08:09 AM
Im not even gonna try and answer this Brian, as I am clueless.
I do know that my Kenne Bell did not even have a provision for the fitting under the manifold. I say do what all the other high horsepower Twin Screw cars are doing and install a breather in each valve cover.

Local Boy
04-18-2008, 11:20 AM
Interesting enough...PCV systems seem to interest me, in an odd way...:cool:

I believe, you are correct...without a check vavle, boost is leaked back into the intake inlet...

My set up (PCV) has a EV-153 PCV "higher up the line" that stops boost before the valve cover, and oil/air separater...But, I also have another source for air to enter and escape from the motor...

In your case, it would be in the line that connects to the lower intake...Essentially, putting that PCV there (lower intake line)...and having a free flow (hollow out PCV) PCV on the valve cover...

I would, however, separate the sources of Vac....It seems to me that a valve cover spot be allocated for allowing air to enter the motor (intake inlet after the MAF) ONLY!...This will not see boost, at all...

Then have the other PCV (one way) connected to the lower intake (after blower)...This will see both Vac. and Boost...

I believe, that by having a continuous open air way in the motor (air intake after MAF)...any boost leak, through the rings into the block (+ presure), can escape via the open PCV...So, fear of having presure build in the motor during boosted times is negated by having a designated PCV for ONLY air intake...

So, obviously, while in boost...There is no air flow through the motor, and the motor experiences a neutral state, in terms of air flowing through the motor...and any presure that may build (boost leak past rings) will vent back into the intake...But, once out of boost, the vac. returns and moves the air along again...

ALOHA

FordNut
04-18-2008, 01:05 PM
I believe, you are correct...without a check vavle, boost is leaked back into the intake inlet...

Yep, just wondering if that's desirable for some reason since this is an OEM Ford designed feature.


I would, however, separate the sources of Vac....It seems to me that a valve cover spot be allocated for allowing air to enter the motor (intake inlet after the MAF) ONLY!...This will not see boost, at all...

Then have the other PCV (one way) connected to the lower intake (after blower)...This will see both Vac. and Boost...

I believe, that by having a continuous open air way in the motor (air intake after MAF)...any boost leak, through the rings into the block (+ presure), can escape via the open PCV...So, fear of having presure build in the motor during boosted times is negated by having a designated PCV for ONLY air intake...

The opposite valve cover does indeed have an inlet connection which is basically an empty PCV valve or adapter fitting which is connected between the MAF and throttle body.


So, obviously, while in boost...There is no air flow through the motor, and the motor experiences a neutral state, in terms of air flowing through the motor...and any presure that may build (boost leak past rings) will vent back into the intake...But, once out of boost, the vac. returns and moves the air along again...

With a centrifugal blower this is common, unless you have a crankcase vacuum pump. I believe the roots blower would still have a bit of vacuum due to the connection to the blower inlet. The boost which leaks out from the bottom of the manifold should not be enough to pressurize the PCV valve, especially since it is essentially metered by the small bore tubing in that section.

FordNut
04-18-2008, 01:07 PM
Another thought... Instead of a solenoid valve, why not just install a manual ball valve. Then you could have a high boost setup (valve closed) and tune for racing and a low boost setup (valve open) and tune for street.

Local Boy
04-18-2008, 02:46 PM
I see where your'e going with this...

That would neat to see you manipulate the boost levels like that...But wouldn't the amount of boost be only maybe 1-2 lbs at most???

ALOHA