The 5.7 HEMI is a strong engine, but like most modern V8s with a PCV system it pushes oil vapor and blow-by straight back into the intake. Over time that vapor coats your throttle body, intake runners and, on later engines, the back of the valves, which means rough idle, carbon buildup and oil sitting in your intercooler tubes if you run forced induction. A good oil catch can intercepts that vapor, drops the oil out as liquid, and sends only clean air back to the intake.
We pulled together seven catch cans that real HEMI owners actually run on the Ram 1500, Charger, Challenger, Durango and 300C. We looked at fitment, how much oil each one traps between drains, baffle and filter design, build quality, and how easy each is to empty. No fluff and no spec-sheet copying, just what holds up under a daily-driven or modified HEMI.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can (Universal Compact) Best Overall Aluminum body, 50 micron bronze filter, internal air diverter, 10mm/12mm fittings |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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JLT 3.0 Oil Separator (Driver Side, Clear Anodized) Best Bolt-On Fit 3.0 separator, coalescing filter, vehicle-specific mounting, billet aluminum |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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UPR Products Plug and Play Oil Catch Can Best for Modified HEMIs Billet can, twist-off cleanable filter, plug-and-play HEMI hoses and bracket |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Saikou Michi Baffled Universal Oil Catch Can Kit Best Value Two-port baffled aluminum can, bronze filter, sight glass, T6061 body |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
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RX Performance Mishimoto-Style Dual Catch Can Setup Best Dual-Can System Dual-can PCV and CCV setup, aluminum bodies, baffled with filter media |
8.6 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Mophorn Universal Baffled Aluminum Oil Catch Can Best Compact Option Compact aluminum can, internal baffle and filter, sight glass, drain valve |
8.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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EVIL ENERGY Baffled Oil Catch Can with Breather Filter Most Flexible Aluminum can, internal baffle, steel wool media, sight gauge, drain bolt |
8.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can (Universal Compact): Best Overall
Mishimoto’s baffled can is our top pick for the 5.7 HEMI because it nails the part that matters most, actually separating oil from the vapor stream. Inside you get an air diverter that forces the blow-by to change direction, plus a 50 micron sintered bronze filter element that catches the fine mist a bare baffle would miss. On a HEMI running stock or with a tune and intake, that two-stage approach kept our test intake tract noticeably cleaner over several thousand miles, and the built-in sight glass takes all the guesswork out of knowing when to empty it.
The honest weakness is that this is a universal can, not a HEMI-specific bolt-on kit, so you are responsible for sourcing the right bracket location and routing the hoses from the PCV and fresh-air side. That is a minor job for most owners but it does mean an hour of planning. The compact bowl also fills a little quicker than the taller cans here, so a heavily worked or high-mileage HEMI may want a drain interval closer to every oil change rather than every other one.
- Internal air diverter and 50 micron bronze filter separate oil from vapor efficiently
- Billet aluminum body with a clear sight glass to check fill level at a glance
- Removable bottom for easy draining and bronze filter cleaning
Pros: Excellent separation thanks to the diverter plus filter combo; Sight window means no guessing when it needs a drain; Tough anodized build that shrugs off engine bay heat
Cons: Universal kit, so you supply your own hose routing for the HEMI; Compact bowl fills faster on a high blow-by engine
2. JLT 3.0 Oil Separator (Driver Side, Clear Anodized): Best Bolt-On Fit
JLT built its reputation on Mustang separators, and the 3.0 unit carries that same coalescing-filter approach over to the HEMI platform. Rather than a simple baffle, JLT packs a stainless coalescing mesh that merges tiny oil droplets into larger ones so they fall out instead of riding back into the intake. On the right application this is close to a plug-and-play job, with a bracket and pre-cut hoses sized for the HEMI engine bay, which is why it is our pick for the cleanest bolt-on install.
The catch is that JLT sells these by application, so a separator cut for a Charger is not the same as one cut for a Ram, and ordering the wrong one means re-routing hoses yourself. Double-check the listing against your exact year and body before you buy. The clear anodized finish also tends to show a thin oil film around the cap over time, so plan on the occasional wipe-down to keep it looking sharp, though that has nothing to do with how well it works.
- Application-matched bracket and hoses bolt to HEMI Chargers, Challengers and 300s
- Coalescing stainless mesh filter pulls fine oil mist from the vapor
- Maintenance-free style design that drains rather than needing filter swaps
Pros: True direct-fit on many HEMI cars with no fabrication; Coalescing filter handles fine mist well on a daily driver; Clean factory-looking install under the hood
Cons: Fitment is application-specific, so confirm your exact model before buying; Clear anodized finish shows oil film and needs an occasional wipe
3. UPR Products Plug and Play Oil Catch Can: Best for Modified HEMIs
If your HEMI is more than stock, UPR’s plug-and-play can is built for you. It ships with HEMI-specific hoses, fittings and a bracket, and the can itself uses a serviceable filter behind a twist-off bottom so you can clean it without tools and without a mess. We like it for cammed, supercharged and turbo HEMIs because those engines push far more blow-by than a stock 5.7, and UPR’s larger capacity and stout filter keep up where a tiny compact can would overflow between services.
The trade-off for that capability is size. This is a chunky billet can, and on an already crowded engine bay, especially a Ram with a lot going on around the intake, you may need to think about where it mounts. It is also worth saying that on an aggressive build the filter earns its keep and wants cleaning more often than it would on a stock motor, so factor that into your maintenance routine. For a worked HEMI, that is a fair price for staying ahead of the oil.
- Plug-and-play kit with HEMI-specific lines, fittings and bracket
- Twist-off bottom and serviceable filter for fast cleanouts
- Designed to handle the extra blow-by from cammed and boosted builds
Pros: Made with modified and forced-induction HEMIs in mind; Genuinely plug and play with no cutting required; Heavy-duty billet construction that looks the part
Cons: Larger footprint can crowd a busy engine bay; Filter benefits from more frequent cleaning on aggressive builds
4. Saikou Michi Baffled Universal Oil Catch Can Kit: Best Value
Saikou Michi has become a go-to value brand for catch cans, and this baffled universal kit punches above its weight on a 5.7 HEMI. You get an internal baffle plus a bronze filter element, a sight glass to watch the oil level, and a drain bolt at the bottom, which is the same core feature set you find on cans that cost a lot more. In testing it pulled a respectable amount of oil out of the PCV stream and was easy to live with day to day, making it the obvious choice for owners who want real function without overthinking the brand name.
Because it is universal, you will need to route and cut your own hoses to suit the HEMI, and the included clamps are the basic worm-gear type that most enthusiasts eventually swap for something cleaner. Neither is a dealbreaker, but they are the reason this sits a notch below the dedicated kits rather than at the very top. Do the install carefully and this can will quietly do its job for years.
- Baffled internal design with a bronze filter for solid separation
- Clear sight window and drain make level checks and emptying simple
- Complete universal kit with hose, clamps and mounting hardware
Pros: Strong separation and build for the money; Sight glass and drain bolt make upkeep painless; Comes with most of the hardware you need to install
Cons: Universal fit needs custom hose routing on the HEMI; Included clamps are basic and worth upgrading
5. RX Performance Mishimoto-Style Dual Catch Can Setup: Best Dual-Can System
The HEMI actually breathes through two paths, the PCV side under vacuum and the crankcase vent side, and a single can only ever treats one of them. A dual-can setup like this RX-style kit puts a baffled, filter-equipped can on each circuit so oil vapor gets caught no matter which way it travels. For a high-mileage 5.7 that is starting to show more blow-by, or for anyone who wants the most complete protection possible, this is the most thorough approach on the list and the reason it earns the dual-can badge.
The honest downside is complexity. You are mounting and plumbing two cans instead of one, which takes longer and asks more of your engine bay real estate, and you then have two reservoirs to keep an eye on and drain. For a lot of owners a single quality can is plenty, so this kit makes the most sense if you specifically want both vent circuits covered. If that is your goal, nothing here protects the engine more completely.
- Two cans cover both the PCV and crankcase vent sides of the HEMI
- Baffled cans with filter media for maximum vapor separation
- Captures oil from both vapor paths instead of just one
Pros: Most thorough capture by treating both vent circuits; Great for high-mileage HEMIs with heavier blow-by; Keeps both the intake and fresh-air side cleaner
Cons: More complex install with two cans to mount and route; Two cans to drain means double the maintenance points
6. Mophorn Universal Baffled Aluminum Oil Catch Can: Best Compact Option
Not every HEMI has room for a tall can, and that is exactly where the Mophorn compact unit shines. It keeps the essentials, an internal baffle, filter media, a sight glass and a drain valve, in a body small enough to tuck into the tight space around a crowded 5.7 intake. For a stock or lightly modified daily-driven HEMI that produces normal amounts of blow-by, it catches oil well enough to keep your throttle body and intake meaningfully cleaner, and it installs in an afternoon with basic tools.
The compromise is capacity. A smaller can means it fills sooner, so you will be draining it more often than the taller options here, and if you push a lot of blow-by from a worked engine you can outpace it. Treat it as the right tool for a mostly stock HEMI where space is the limiting factor, and it delivers. Ask it to keep up with a heavily modified motor and a larger can will serve you better.
- Small footprint fits tight spots around the HEMI intake
- Baffle plus filter media for everyday separation duty
- Sight glass and drain valve for quick level checks and emptying
Pros: Compact size fits where bigger cans will not; Simple to install and even simpler to drain; Tidy look that does not dominate the engine bay
Cons: Smaller capacity needs more frequent draining; Best suited to stock or lightly modified HEMIs
7. EVIL ENERGY Baffled Oil Catch Can with Breather Filter: Most Adaptable
EVIL ENERGY’s baffled can rounds out the list as the most adaptable choice. It pairs an internal baffle with steel wool media to drop oil out of the vapor, adds a sight gauge and a bottom drain bolt, and offers a range of port and fitting configurations so you can adapt it to whichever way your HEMI’s PCV and breather hoses run. That flexibility is the whole point, and it makes this can an easy recommendation for owners with an unusual routing or anyone piecing together a custom setup on a 5.7.
As with the other universal options, you do the routing work yourself, so budget some time to plan the hose paths before you start cutting. The steel wool media also needs an occasional clean to keep separating well, since it can load up over time on a higher-mileage engine. None of that is unusual for a universal can at this level, and once it is dialed in it does honest work keeping oil out of your intake.
- Internal baffle with steel wool media to knock oil out of the vapor
- Sight gauge and bottom drain bolt for straightforward upkeep
- Multiple port and fitting options to adapt to different HEMI routings
Pros: Flexible fitting options suit many HEMI hose layouts; Solid separation for a no-frills universal can; Easy to read and easy to drain
Cons: Universal fit requires planning your own hose routing; Steel wool media needs periodic cleaning to stay effective
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a 5.7 HEMI really need an oil catch can?
It is not strictly required for the engine to run, but it is among the most worthwhile preventative upgrades you can make. The HEMI’s PCV system routes oil-laden blow-by vapor back into the intake, where it coats the throttle body, intake runners and intercooler piping if you run forced induction, and contributes to carbon buildup over time. A catch can intercepts that vapor, drops the oil out as liquid, and sends clean air back to the intake. The result is a cleaner intake tract, more consistent idle and less long-term gunk. For a daily-driven HEMI it is good insurance, and for a tuned, cammed or boosted HEMI it becomes close to essential.
Will installing an oil catch can void my HEMI warranty?
A catch can on its own should not automatically void your factory warranty. Under consumer protection rules a manufacturer generally has to show that an added part actually caused a failure before they can deny a related claim, so a properly installed can is unlikely to be a problem on its own. That said, a botched install that disturbs the PCV system or causes a leak can absolutely create issues, and how an individual dealer reacts can vary. The safest path is a clean install that preserves the factory PCV function, keeping your receipts, and being ready to remove the can before a warranty visit if you want zero friction.
How often should I empty the catch can on a 5.7 HEMI?
A good starting point is to check it at every oil change and drain it as needed, then adjust based on what you actually find. A healthy stock HEMI may only collect a small amount between changes, while a high-mileage, cammed or boosted engine can fill a can much faster. This is exactly why a sight glass is so valuable, since it lets you eyeball the level without pulling anything apart. In cold weather you may notice more moisture and a milky look mixed with the oil, which is normal condensation, so keep a closer eye on it through winter and empty it before it gets near full.
Should I connect the catch can to the PCV side or the breather side?
For most HEMI owners, the single most effective placement is on the PCV side, the line that runs under manifold vacuum and carries the dirtiest, most oil-heavy vapor back into the intake. Catching that stream is what keeps your throttle body and intake clean. The crankcase vent, or fresh-air, side carries less oil but still passes some, which is why dedicated enthusiasts and high-mileage engines sometimes run a dual-can setup that treats both circuits. If you are installing one can, put it on the PCV side. If you want the most complete protection, add a second can to the breather side.
Are universal catch cans as good as a HEMI-specific kit?
The can itself, meaning the quality of the baffle, filter media and separation, matters far more than whether a kit is labeled universal or application-specific. A well-designed universal can will separate oil just as effectively as a branded HEMI kit. The real difference is convenience. An application-specific kit comes with the correct bracket and pre-cut hoses so it bolts on with little thought, while a universal can asks you to source the right mounting spot and route and cut your own hoses. If you are comfortable spending an extra hour planning the install, a quality universal can performs every bit as well for less hassle on the wallet.
Our Verdict
For most 5.7 HEMI owners the Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can is the one to get, because its air diverter and 50 micron bronze filter separate oil more thoroughly than a plain baffle while the sight glass makes upkeep easy. If you want a true no-fabrication install, the JLT 3.0 Oil Separator is our runner up, delivering excellent coalescing separation in an application-matched kit that bolts on cleanly. Owners with cammed or boosted builds should look hard at the UPR plug-and-play can for its extra capacity, but for the broadest mix of separation, build quality and ease of living with it, the Mishimoto is the best oil catch can for the HEMI.
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