Converting to... what? PCV is a very old acronym for one of the earliest attempts at controlling the emissions from auto engines. It stands for "Positive Crankcase Ventilation" and was developed in the 1950's. As is typical in our country, it was regulated into law in California first, since they have the perfect storm of population and geography to have a real smog problem in Los Angeles. Basically, the stinky byproducts of gasoline combustion were recycled and burned again to try to reduce their effect on the atmosphere, and not at all coincidentally, also make our garages not stink so badly of unburned hydrocarbons.