Smoking: catching oil from PCV line on a 408 Magnum

I was getting significant smoking during high rpm especially during hard upshifts on my fresh ( < 150 miles) 408 stroker motor that is based on a 2001 5.9 Magnum block. I was praying that it wasn't the rings not seating. It didn't smoke at all at low or moderate rpm, and it wouldn't do it between the 1st and 2nd gear upshifts. I could see a cloud of smoke in the rear view mirror after a sustained wide open throttle application as the transmission automatically upshifted into 3rd and 4th.

Turns out the motor was sucking a significant oil mist from the PCV valve/line. I bought an in-line air compressor water/oil trap and installed it in the PCV line that goes from the PCV valve to the intake manifold. It took a few minutes to install, and in one day already captured a thimble full of oil. The smoking stopped completely once I installed this. I opted for a quality trap/filter and with new line and good hose clamps, it cost me about $60.

I was surprised at the volume of oil that had been going into my intake tract, and pleased that my rings are seated. The motor seems to idle a little crisper now too, but that may be my imagination.