grimmspeed AOS vs crawford AOS - review

[themaus]

Originally Posted by Crawford Performance

We have been tossing around the idea of doing a V3 with a PCV in the system. Is there enough interest in this upgrade for us to build it?

Crawford Performance

What would be the advantage of that?

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[mert34]

Im curious as well as i was about to order the v2 sometime soon

[Crawford Performance]

The only advantage would be for smog reasons, the system would still function the same but the OEM PCV valve would still be in place. Our V2 gets vacuum from the intake which creates Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

Team Crawford

['08WRXRider]

I would be interested in the V3 you mentioned. Especially, if it had CARB EO. Even if it doesn't, though, still interested.

[Crawford Performance]

Good idea.

[Meeners]

I'm sorry, but you guys all kill me with this nonsense. You are spending hundreds of dollars trying to do what nissan and volvo have been doing stock for years. If you have a street car you can just buy a stock oil seperator from any AWD/RWD turbo sr20 powered vehicle aside from the VE version (it is steel with an internal baffle), or find a separator from a n/a or turbo volvo s70 or 850 etc (ABS). These are cars that both are turbocharged and both have separators that drain to the crankcase stock and have been since before a lot of the people on this site were born.

If you are paranoid about condensation back into the block then just bolt the catch can to the block like they do in BOTH case scenarios. I've done that for years on regular catch cans. And you can find them for $15, or buy them OEM from any dealer for $40-50.

Stock Oil Separator Examples




If you are worried about draining back contaminated oil, don't... because you aren't running a vented system. it's closed. If you vent it to the atmosphere then yes, drain it to a can.

Even if you are a racer, understand that they have been doing this for higher performance engines that your life depends on for a number of years... i.e. PLANES. Do a search on oil separators from Aircraft Spruce... its the same concept.

I'm not crapping on these aftermarket products because they are providing a service and a material that there obviously is a need for, especially if you are into racing your vehicles but some of you people need to think outside the box or better yet, think for yourselves instead of just going by what others say.

However, I highly appreciate the hands on approach to show others how the products work... that is what forums need more of. kudos OP.

[Crawford Performance]

This is our BRZ specific AOS

[luvless2620]

Looks nice. Can't wait to see it on the online store shelves.

[Crawford Performance]

Originally Posted by luvless2620

Looks nice. Can't wait to see it on the online store shelves.

RallySport Direct is having a group by on our BRZ

AOS at the moment

[04.SPT.WRX]

Crawford Team - no comment on my lack of hardware commentary?

Originally Posted by Crawford Performance

We have been tossing around the idea of doing a V3 with a PCV in the system. Is there enough interest in this upgrade for us to build it?

Seeing as I just installed the V2, no thanks.

Originally Posted by Crawford Performance

The only advantage would be for smog reasons, the system would still function the same but the OEM PCV valve would still be in place. Our V2 gets vacuum from the intake which creates Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

Smog reasons? Please elaborate ...

[Acejam2k]

Originally Posted by 04.SPT.WRX

Smog reasons? Please elaborate ...

The PCV valve is considered an emissions device. Therefore, it's illegal to remove it on cars registered in the US. This does not depend on local/state laws. It's a federally mandated EPA law.

[04.SPT.WRX]

Originally Posted by Acejam2k

The PCV valve is considered an emissions device. Therefore, it's illegal to remove it on cars registered in the US. This does not depend on local/state laws. It's a federally mandated EPA law.

Ah, thank you. Same goes for my aftermarket catalytic converter.

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by Acejam2k

The PCV valve is considered an emissions device. Therefore, it's illegal to remove it on cars registered in the US. This does not depend on local/state laws. It's a federally mandated EPA law.

The problem is, even if the crankcase valve is left alone, the hose coming out of the valve will be tampered with and routed to some non-OEM device. That's possibly a visual inspection failure in California (and probably other states as well).
So, unless Crawford is willing to spend time and money to obtain a smog exemption (and its associated EO number) for their AOS, they shouldn't even bother.

[BlackedOut04]

Originally Posted by Crawford Performance

We have been tossing around the idea of doing a V3 with a PCV in the system. Is there enough interest in this upgrade for us to build it?

Crawford Performance

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

The problem is, even if the crankcase valve is left alone, the hose coming out of the valve will be tampered with and routed to some non-OEM device. That's possibly a visual inspection failure in California (and probably other states as well).
So, unless Crawford is willing to spend time and money to obtain a smog exemption (and its associated EO number) for their AOS, they shouldn't even bother.

Well would ya look at that.

[iSTI]

thanks for the writeup ive had the gsaos for about 2 years now, but imma install clear lines now to check how its holding up.

[lokey]

Originally Posted by iSTI

thanks for the writeup ive had the gsaos for about 2 years now, but imma install clear lines now to check how its holding up.

I did a clear line on my gs aos (just the vent hose) to verify. It's working.

[SATSTI]

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

The problem is, even if the crankcase valve is left alone, the hose coming out of the valve will be tampered with and routed to some non-OEM device. That's possibly a visual inspection failure in California (and probably other states as well).
So, unless Crawford is willing to spend time and money to obtain a smog exemption (and its associated EO number) for their AOS, they shouldn't even bother.

Snap. There IS a downside to this! I was thinking of getting one of these but if it's going to be a hassle when I get the car inspected nevermind.

[0BlueSTi4]

Originally Posted by SATSTI

Snap. There IS a downside to this! I was thinking of getting one of these but if it's going to be a hassle when I get the car inspected nevermind.

It is a downside but that is where shady/hole-in-the-wall smog shops come in - somehow I doubt those guys know which hose goes where - just don't take it to Subaru specialists

[dsca1993]

I have used the Grimmspeed one in my 2005 wrx for a few months now daily driving and some cases of "spirited" driving and it worked perfectly. I went to button willow raceway and it failed.. didn't do a thing. So I'm going to replace it.. unfortunately I can't use the Crawford one since I have a fmic and a tower bar. Has anyone heard anything about the Moroso one? Or any others?
Thanks
-Daniel

[SubieEngineer]

Originally Posted by dsca1993

I have used the Grimmspeed one in my 2005 wrx for a few months now daily driving and some cases of "spirited" driving and it worked perfectly. I went to button willow raceway and it failed.. didn't do a thing. So I'm going to replace it.. unfortunately I can't use the Crawford one since I have a fmic and a tower bar. Has anyone heard anything about the Moroso one? Or any others?
Thanks
-Daniel

I know a guy that tracks his 08 STI and his Forester and he uses a Crawford in his 08 (IIRC) and the Moroso dual catch can setup in the Fozy. He likes both of them. I personally used the Grimmspeed clone for about 2 months and noticed all the oil that still would up in the return line (especially at an autocross) and ditched it in favor of a Crawford V2 AOS.

[Acejam2k]

Originally Posted by dsca1993

I have used the Grimmspeed one in my 2005 wrx for a few months now daily driving and some cases of "spirited" driving and it worked perfectly. I went to button willow raceway and it failed.. didn't do a thing. So I'm going to replace it.. unfortunately I can't use the Crawford one since I have a fmic and a tower bar. Has anyone heard anything about the Moroso one? Or any others?
Thanks
-Daniel

I have a big ETS TMIC and a strut brace, and I can fit my Crawford TMIC AOS.

They make a FMIC version too, which I believe sits even lower.

[dsca1993]

Originally Posted by Acejam2k

I have a big ETS TMIC and a strut brace, and I can fit my Crawford TMIC AOS.

They make a FMIC version too, which I believe sits even lower.

Can you post or pm me a picture?

[Acejam2k]

Originally Posted by dsca1993

Can you post or pm me a picture?

Of my setup? Or their FMIC version?

[dsca1993]

Of your set up

[Acejam2k]

Originally Posted by dsca1993

Of your set up

Here's the best close-up shot that I could find:



For reference, I have a Whiteline "Big TMIC" strut brace and an ETS TMIC. The AOS has about 2-3mm clearance below the strut brace. It doesn't rub at static, but under chasis flex it might touch, so I've wrapped part of the top AOS nipple with some black electrical tape to prevent any scrapes on the fancy black paint.