Protecting catalytic converters?

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bucket

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Cat converter theft was a real problem around here (well, in the bigger city areas) about 10+ years ago. All the places that bought them started requiring an ID to put on file and they would limit the number you could scrap in a certain time frame. I don't think it's been much of an issue since then.

The place I take my batteries and converters to pays pretty good for the area, the most I've been paid for a converter was around $150 I think. They say some are upwards of $200. But the average converter is probably around 75-80 bucks.
 

80BrownK10

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Cat converter theft was a real problem around here (well, in the bigger city areas) about 10+ years ago. All the places that bought them started requiring an ID to put on file and they would limit the number you could scrap in a certain time frame. I don't think it's been much of an issue since then.

The place I take my batteries and converters to pays pretty good for the area, the most I've been paid for a converter was around $150 I think. They say some are upwards of $200. But the average converter is probably around 75-80 bucks.
Yea they were big item back in the recession. But with Corona And other reasons like the need for rare metals on the rise, the thefts are rising again. I think it's more of a city issue though.

Some of those pri es quotes you can buy a vehicle. Scrap the converter and sell a few parts and then sell it for scrap and maybe make a few bucks!
 

77 K20

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I have read two articles here in Montana in the last month about this. Mainly Billings and Missoula are having this problem. Some people were even hit twice. F'in thieves waited for them to take their vehicle in and get fixed just to hit it again. :banghead:

The articles had some suggestions. Park in a well lit place. Park near a house/building entrance (more people to see). Park in a garage. Park somewhere where a security camera is pointing. Pay attention to power tool sounds. Scribe your vehicle VIN on the cat. Weld the cat to the car's frame. Calibrate your cars alarm to detect that type of vibration. Put/weld a unique identifier on your cat that can make it identifiable at a scrap dealer- then hopefully they have footage of the jerk selling it.
 

rt66paul

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Here in Ca, it is a big thing also. What is really bad is that CARB doesn't allow the cheaper Cats to be sold here. The difference is a lot. a 96 4cyl Honda accord cat can be had in 47 states for about $300. A CARB approved one is $1000.
From what I am told, the cheap ones work, but might not pass visual inspection.
 

AuroraGirl

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Here in Ca, it is a big thing also. What is really bad is that CARB doesn't allow the cheaper Cats to be sold here. The difference is a lot. a 96 4cyl Honda accord cat can be had in 47 states for about $300. A CARB approved one is $1000.
From what I am told, the cheap ones work, but might not pass visual inspection.
This is why CARB is illegitimate to me. There are clear and easily worked with things that help everyone at aNo expense to the environment that are banned. Which means it's not about the environment it's about protecting some profits of companies that sell over priced CARB compliant ****. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find donations or money trails to and from..
 

Goldie Driver

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Dunno if this was mentioned before - see the link below.

https://www.catstrap.net/

Pretty sad when you have to develop a product to keep people form stealing parts of your chit ...

And discourage you from using time honored methods to permanently eliminate the issue.

:893Chainsaw-Smilie-:biggun::lazer::Jedi::killer:
 

DoubleDingo

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A rebar cage would be just as effective. But you're right, it's sad we have to do this to protect something that we shouldn't have to worry about.
 

82sbshortbed

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Here ya go

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