Protecting catalytic converters?

[Bextreme04]

Here in AZ used cats aren't worth ****. Recyclers won't pay you much for them, the emissions repair shop I used to work for sells them for $20 each to a recycler... You can buy a new cat off of Rockauto for $60. The only ones that are expensive are the ones that are unusual, Ford F-150's etc that are a pain in the ass and weird shaped. Even then they still have no resale value.

It must have been a while since you worked in that shop. The EV market has really caused a huge boom in rare earth metals and catalytic converters have become a huge source for them. The new replacement ones you get from rockauto and such don't have those elements in them anymore, since the costs for those elements have skyrocketed. The older OEM cats are the ones that are worth a small fortune to recyclers, especially foreign ones. The price varies day-to-day and is based on serial number. Here's a current listing of values based on type of cat. https://rrcats.com/catalytic-converter-scrap-prices/ You'll notice that aftermarket cats are basically worth nothing as well as crappy old pellet cats.

 

[Markmx6]

It must have been a while since you worked in that shop. The EV market has really caused a huge boom in rare earth metals and catalytic converters have become a huge source for them. The new replacement ones you get from rockauto and such don't have those elements in them anymore, since the costs for those elements have skyrocketed. The older OEM cats are the ones that are worth a small fortune to recyclers, especially foreign ones. The price varies day-to-day and is based on serial number. Here's a current listing of values based on type of cat. https://rrcats.com/catalytic-converter-scrap-prices/ You'll notice that aftermarket cats are basically worth nothing as well as crappy old pellet cats.

That info was accurate as of last year. I haven't worked for him for over 20 years, but he still helps get me parts at wholesale once in a while.

I agree the newer replacement cats aren't as valuable as the older ones are.

Also in AZ if you turn in scrap with a value over $30 they take your drivers license info, anything over $300 and you have to wait until they mail you a check. We usually have a bigger problem here with copper than we do with any other scrap metals.

 

[DoubleDingo]

The low cars is not a deterrent. My friend's stepson has a Honda that sits pretty low, and they got his while he was at work one night. The cats are being stolen at such a high rate here that there aren't any available in town. So he had to have a piece of pipe welded in until the cat would be available. From what I've heard, some cars require an entire exhaust system to be replaced. I don't know how true that is, but some of these new exhaust systems are very expensive.

 

[Blue Ox]

So, the Cat on a "Patrol Car" was stolen? How awkward is that?

This whole thing kind of reminds me of the headline "Precinct Toilets Stolen. Police Have Nothing To Go On."

 

[AuroraGirl]

From that pic, Appears they may have stole the muffler and left the cat! Maybe the best solution is to label the muffler “catalytic converter” for the thieves who aren’t quite as stupid as this one was...
Seattle’s solution is free heroin clinics. With the govt buying the drugs, the thieves don’t even have to work or get dirty to get a fix!

no kidding, my old 1998 buick park avenue had its muffler stolen by sawzall in a parking lot up here in rural wisconsin. the original one was started to get hole-y from rust and one of the hangers was close to breaking. they cut it off at exhaust tip(so they left my 45 degree cut tip, like 4 inches of it) and cut it off at the back of it...

Cat was still there.

Either a really dumb methhead looking for money or someomne was desperate for a 40$ new muffler. that was rusting out.

i wasnt mad as much as I was confused

 

[eskimomann209]

MASSIVE... Skid plate.
Bolted in and a couple tack welds

 

[SquareRoot]

EV

 

[jake wells]

None of my stuff has them so it wouldn't do the thief any good. Part of the reason no inspection or emissions in my state.

 

[TX87R10]

Put air bags on the truck where when deflated it is flat on the ground and contacts somehow on the front and the back of the exhaust system. If the current is broken (the cat is cut off for example) immediately release all air in the air bags.

Two birds, one stone.

**EDIT**

Omg even funnier do it on hydraulics with the hydraulic line is running along the exhaust system so when they rupture the line while cutting the cat off it the hydraulics immediately release pressure like a scissor lift.

 

[SquareRoot]

Put air bags on the truck where when deflated it is flat on the ground and contacts somehow on the front and the back of the exhaust system. If the current is broken (the cat is cut off for example) immediately release all air in the air bags.

Two birds, one stone.

**EDIT**

Omg even funnier do it on hydraulics with the hydraulic line is running along the exhaust system so when they rupture the line while cutting the cat off it the hydraulics immediately release pressure like a scissor lift.

A little sick and demented you are? I love it.

 

[Bextreme04]

Put air bags on the truck where when deflated it is flat on the ground and contacts somehow on the front and the back of the exhaust system. If the current is broken (the cat is cut off for example) immediately release all air in the air bags.

Two birds, one stone.

**EDIT**

Omg even funnier do it on hydraulics with the hydraulic line is running along the exhaust system so when they rupture the line while cutting the cat off it the hydraulics immediately release pressure like a scissor lift.

You'de probably be fine with that in Texas... I can just imagine all the lawsuits for wrongful death from the family of the "victim" in California though

 

[Vbb199]

My cat is pretty safe......




.....safely away from my suburban

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[Turbo4whl]

Certainly some of you have experience with this trend? Anybody got any good ideas to guard against cordless sawzall assisted theft?

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1,000 volt electric pad

A gun set like a rat trap, pointed in the direction of the converter, the vibrations trigger the trigger....

Put air bags on the truck where when deflated it is flat on the ground and contacts somehow on the front and the back of the exhaust system. If the current is broken (the cat is cut off for example) immediately release all air in the air bags.

So @TX87R10 has the right idea, can't use a trip gun or electric shock. But if you weld a steel air supply line to the air lift suspension to the top of the cat..... Then when the cat is cut off the RV will lower as the air bags deflate.

 

[78C10BigTen]

There is a cage like device that welds on around it ive seen. This is happening pretty bad around philly. Being in the scrap industry i do know only certain car brands and years are bringing good money. Im pretty safe as my square has none and if they hack the one off my s10 theyd be doin me a favor! It smells like its partially plugged and i know for sure its only worth about $100.

 

[80BrownK10]

The low cars is not a deterrent. My friend's stepson has a Honda that sits pretty low, and they got his while he was at work one night. The cats are being stolen at such a high rate here that there aren't any available in town. So he had to have a piece of pipe welded in until the cat would be available. From what I've heard, some cars require an entire exhaust system to be replaced. I don't know how true that is, but some of these new exhaust systems are very expensive.

I had the cat fail in a work truck several ago. It was a 2012 colorado. I am pretty sure the exhaust manifold was replaced as it was all one. That was the 5cyl truck.