Why Your 2019 Civic Type R Needs a Catch Can

The 2019 Honda Civic Type R (FK8) uses direct injection, which means fuel is sprayed directly into the combustion chamber rather than over the intake valves. This design improves fuel economy and power, but it also means fuel detergents never wash over the intake valves. Over time, oil vapors from the PCV system coat the valves with carbon deposits, robbing your engine of power and throttle response. A Turbosmart catch can intercepts those oil vapors before they reach the intake tract, keeping your valves clean and your engine running at peak performance. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire installation on your FK8, from prep to final checks.

Tools, Materials, and Parts You Will Need

Before you get under the hood, gather everything you need. Having the right tools on hand makes the job faster and prevents frustrating trips to the hardware store mid-install.

Required Parts

  • Turbosmart catch can kit (PN: TS-0710-1002 for the FK8 Civic Type R)
  • Hoses and clamps (included with the kit, all 9/16-inch ID)
  • Mounting bracket and hardware (included with the kit)
  • Zip ties (for additional hose routing security)

Required Tools

  • Socket set (metric, 8mm through 14mm)
  • Wrenches (10mm and 12mm combination wrenches)
  • Flathead screwdriver (for hose clamp adjustment)
  • Trim removal tool or pick (to release PCV hose quick-disconnects)
  • Drill with 1/4-inch and 3/16-inch drill bits
  • Center punch (to mark drill points accurately)
  • Rags or shop towels
  • Safety glasses
  • Gloves (nitrile or mechanics gloves)

Optional but Helpful

  • Torque wrench (5-25 lb-ft range)
  • Small flashlight or work light
  • Brake cleaner (for cleaning the mounting area)
  • Thread locker (blue, for bracket bolts)

Preparation: Safety and Workspace Setup

Park your Civic Type R on a level surface and engage the parking brake. Open the hood and let the engine cool completely if you have been driving. A hot engine increases risk of burns and makes rubber hoses more difficult to disconnect. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery (10mm bolt) as a safety measure, since you will be working near sensors and wiring.

Remove the engine cover (the large plastic shroud with the red H badge) by pulling upward on the four corners. It is held in place by rubber grommets and lifts off with moderate effort. Set it aside where it will not get scratched.

Installation Overview

The Turbosmart catch can kit for the FK8 is designed to mount on the driver side of the engine bay, using existing threaded holes near the strut tower. The system intercepts the PCV line from the valve cover to the intake manifold. Routing is direct and the included hoses are precut to the correct lengths for a clean, professional-looking install.

Step 1: Locate the Mounting Position

Look at the driver side of the engine bay, just forward of the strut tower. You will see a flat area of the chassis with two unused threaded holes. These are M6 x 1.0 threads and are perfectly spaced for the Turbosmart mounting bracket. Clean the area with brake cleaner and a rag to ensure a good mounting surface free of dirt and grease.

Step 2: Assemble the Catch Can and Bracket

Remove the Turbosmart catch can from its packaging. The can body has a threaded port on top and a threaded port on the bottom. The included bracket attaches to the side of the can using two M4 screws. Orient the bracket so the can sits upright with the ports facing toward the passenger side of the vehicle. Tighten the bracket screws to 3 lb-ft (4 Nm). Do not overtighten, as the aluminum threads can strip.

Thread the included barbed fittings into the top and bottom ports of the catch can. Use thread tape or the included sealant if supplied. Hand tighten the fittings snugly, then give them an additional quarter turn with a wrench.

Step 3: Mount the Catch Can to the Chassis

Hold the assembled catch can and bracket against the flat mounting area you cleaned in Step 1. The holes in the bracket should align with the two threaded holes in the chassis. Use a center punch or a sharpie to mark the exact center of each hole through the bracket. Set the can aside and drill pilot holes using a 3/16-inch bit if the chassis holes are not already clear. If the factory holes are clean, you can skip drilling. Use the included M6 bolts and washers to secure the bracket to the chassis. Tighten to 7 lb-ft (9.5 Nm). The can should be solid with no wobble. Confirm the clearance around the can. It should not contact the strut tower, battery box, or any moving suspension components.

Step 4: Disconnect the Factory PCV Hoses

Look at the front of the valve cover (the black plastic cover over the top of the engine). You will see a hose running from a port near the front center of the valve cover to the intake manifold. This is the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) hose. There is also a second hose running from the rear of the valve cover to the intake pipe. This is the fresh air line.

For a dedicated catch can setup, you will intercept the PCV side only. The fresh air line can remain stock on the FK8. Locate the factory quick-disconnect fitting on the PCV hose near the intake manifold. Use a trim removal tool or a small flathead screwdriver to depress the release tab and pull the hose free. Work slowly to avoid cracking the plastic connectors. Once disconnected, remove the entire factory PCV hose from the engine bay and set it aside.

Step 5: Route and Connect the Catch Can Hoses

The Turbosmart kit includes two precut hoses. One hose is approximately 12 inches long, and the other is approximately 18 inches long. The shorter hose goes from the valve cover port to the bottom (inlet) port of the catch can. The longer hose goes from the top (outlet) port of the catch can to the intake manifold.

Hose 1 (Valve Cover to Catch Can Inlet)

Slide one of the included clamps onto the shorter hose. Push one end of the hose onto the barbed fitting at the bottom of the catch can. Tighten the clamp snugly. Route the other end of the hose to the PCV port on the valve cover. Push it onto the factory nipple and secure it with the remaining clamp. Ensure the hose is not kinked or rubbing against any sharp edges.

Hose 2 (Catch Can Outlet to Intake Manifold)

Take the longer hose and slide a clamp onto it. Attach one end to the barbed fitting at the top of the catch can and tighten the clamp. Route the other end to the intake manifold port where you removed the factory PCV hose. Press the hose fully onto the manifold nipple. The factory quick-disconnect fitting will not be reused, so this connection uses a clamp. Secure it with the clamp. Use zip ties to anchor both hoses to existing wire looms or the strut tower brace, keeping them away from the serpentine belt, pulleys, and exhaust manifold.

Step 6: Double Check All Connections

Walk through every connection point methodically. Confirm the following:

  • The catch can bracket bolts are tight.
  • All four hose clamps are snug but not so tight they are cutting into the rubber.
  • The bottom port of the can is connected to the valve cover.
  • The top port of the can is connected to the intake manifold.
  • All hoses have clearance from moving parts, the exhaust manifold, and the serpentine belt.
  • Zip ties are used to secure any loose sections of hose.

If you disconnected the battery negative terminal, leave it disconnected until after the leak check.

Step 7: Leak Test the System

Reconnect the negative battery terminal if you disconnected it. Start the engine and let it idle. Listen for any hissing sounds, which indicate a vacuum leak. Inspect each hose connection and the catch can itself for any signs of moisture or oil seepage. Use a rag to wipe away any residual oil from the factory lines so fresh leaks are immediately visible. Rev the engine gently to 2,500 rpm and hold for a few seconds while observing the connections. If you detect a leak, shut off the engine and tighten the affected clamp or hose connection.

Step 8: Finalize and Clean Up

Once you confirm zero leaks, shut off the engine. Replace the engine cover by pressing it squarely onto its four rubber mounts. Use shop towels to clean any spilled oil or brake cleaner residue from the engine bay. Check that all tools are accounted for. Take the car for a short test drive (5-10 minutes). After the drive, recheck all connections with the engine hot. A heat cycle can loosen initial clamp tension, so retighten if necessary.

Maintenance: Emptying and Cleaning the Catch Can

The Turbosmart catch can collects oil vapors and condensation that would otherwise coat your intake valves. You must empty it regularly to maintain effectiveness.

  • Check every 500 miles for the first 1,500 miles to understand how quickly your specific car fills the can. Track-driven cars will fill faster than daily drivers.
  • Empty when the can is half full. The can has a sight line or a translucent window on some models. Do not let it fill completely, or oil can be drawn back into the intake.
  • To empty, unscrew the bottom cap of the can. Drain the collected oil and water emulsion into an approved container. Wipe the interior with a rag. Reinstall the cap hand tight plus a quarter turn. Do not use tools on the cap.
  • Inspect hoses for cracks or softening every time you empty the can. Replace any hose that shows signs of deterioration.
  • Clean the internal baffle every 10,000 miles. Remove the can from the bracket, disassemble it fully (unscrew both barbs), and soak the baffle and interior in brake cleaner. Let it dry completely before reassembly.

Expected Performance and Maintenance Benefits

A properly installed Turbosmart catch can on your FK8 delivers measurable benefits. Owners report smoother idle, restored throttle response, and reduced carbon buildup on intake valves over time. While the catch can itself does not add horsepower on a dyno, it preserves the engine's original power output by preventing deposit formation. On high-mileage cars, cleaning the valves is a $500-1,000 service. A catch kit pays for itself if you plan to keep the car beyond 60,000 miles. The FK8 community on forums like CivicX and Type R Forum consistently lists a catch can as one of the first modifications for any direct injection Honda, and the Turbosmart unit is praised for its fitment, build quality, and ease of servicing. Read discussions on CivicX about catch can setups for the FK8.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

The catch can bracket holes do not align with the chassis holes.

Check that you have the correct bracket orientation. The elongated slot in the bracket should be positioned to allow fore-aft adjustment. Loosen the bracket screws on the can and slide the bracket before tightening.

The hoses are too long or too short.

The Turbosmart kit includes hoses that are cut specifically for the FK8. If you are having routing difficulties, confirm you are using the correct hose for each connection. The short hose goes to the valve cover. The long hose reaches the intake manifold. If you have an aftermarket intake, routing may differ, and you may need to purchase additional hose (9/16-inch ID).

The check engine light comes on after installation.

This is rare with the Turbosmart kit because it retains the PCV system's basic routing. If a CEL appears, check for a vacuum leak. Use a smoke machine or spray carb cleaner around each connection with the engine idling. A change in idle speed indicates a leak. Also verify that the catch can is oriented correctly with the bottom port as the inlet. Reversing the flow direction can trigger codes.

Oil accumulates in the intake manifold side hose.

Some oil mist passing through the catch can is normal, especially if the can is getting full. Empty the can more frequently. If oil continues to pass, check that the internal baffle is seated correctly, and consider upgrading to a dual catch can setup that intercepts both the PCV and fresh air sides. Turbosmart's own technical article explains catch can function in detail.

Once your catch can is installed, you may want to consider complementary modifications that improve the FK8's long-term reliability. A secondary catch can on the fresh air side is a common addition for track cars or very high-mileage builds. Upgraded intercooler charge pipes and a larger intercooler reduce intake air temperatures and further reduce oil vapor carryover. If you are tuning your Civic Type R for higher boost, the catch can becomes even more important because increased crankcase pressure pushes more oil vapor into the intake. Phase Tuned, a well-known FK8 tuning shop, recommends catch cans on all tuned FK8s.

Final Thoughts

Installing a Turbosmart catch can on your 2019 Honda Civic Type R is a straightforward afternoon project that pays dividends in engine cleanliness and longevity. The FK8's K20C1 engine is a masterpiece of engineering, but direct injection is its Achilles' heel. A quality catch can system addresses that weakness by keeping oil vapor out of the intake manifold where it can form carbon deposits. Take your time with the routing, double check every clamp, and make emptying the can part of your regular maintenance routine. Your engine will thank you at 50,000 miles and beyond. For more detailed installation photos and owner experiences, visit this dedicated Turbosmart FK8 installation thread on CivicX.