Catalytic converters

there's a fellow here who offers to buy them for the metals. a private sale to someone who needs one for their car would be supply and demand, and how to determine if it's good?

in cali, you can only replace with an oem.

 

Ron, they probably wouldn't even look. Mostly they look for codes. If the replacement cat is professionally done, it shouldn't stand out. CA cars can be recatted with aftermarket, just can't ship the parts to California (or NY, for that matter.) A little road trip to Reno, Ashland or Medford, Vegas, or Kingman, Tucson, or Phoenix (Yumer too) would do the trick.

I had the cat on my 02 done at Midas (I provided the cat.) with parts it came to about $200.

I wouldn't bother with a used cat. If the pipes are okay, a new universal cat will do the trick.

 

I had my cat stolen from my car a couple weeks ago, and saw two other gen1 prius for sale with stolen cats!
The only source for them (for California) is the Toyota dealer, and they are $850 + shipping, for the whole center section with two cats and resonator. I gave one a week before to a friend who had his stolen (I found out later when I wanted it back!).
I actually drove to Nevada to get one I could put on my car for $200 so get the check engine light to go off.

I could use another one, particularly the one that attaches to the manifold, it has a flange that is not easy to find (well, impossible it seems, they only come with the cat, which only comes with the rest of the exhaust..).

 

I just bought a whole prius that runs great for $600.

 

you have seven priuses or seven catalytic converters?

 

I’m glad I’m not the only one who does this, mine are gen 2 tho. I just learn best using an Oklahoma roadmap (aka, reverse engineering) (aka, taking apart the remote control)

 

Source: California family members plead guilty to role in $600m catalytic converter ring | US crime | The Guardian

Three members of a California family pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiracy for their role in a ring that shipped $600m worth of stolen catalytic converters from California to New Jersey, federal prosecutors said.

Brothers Tou Sue Vang, 32, and Andrew Vang, 28, along with their mother, Monica Moua, 58, were part of “a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors” who provided the stolen auto anti-smog devices to a metal refinery for more than $600m, according to a statement from the US attorney’s office.

Twenty-one people from California and New Jersey have been charged in the case, prosecutors said. The three Sacramento family members pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport the devices in return for more than $38m.
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Given the total cost of a stolen catalytic converter is likely 10x the blackmarket price, $380 m of pain and suffering on the victims, insurance, and justice. But I'm open to a more fact based, cost multiplier.

Bob Wilson

 

Good news: Palladium's slide accelerates on prospects for surplus next year | Reuters

Nov 10 (Reuters) - Palladium prices have tumbled to five-year lows below $1,000 an ounce this week, hastening a retreat triggered by expectations of surpluses due to the rapid spread of electric vehicles and automakers choosing cheaper platinum for their autocatalysts.

Prices of the metal, used by automakers in engine exhausts to reduce emissions, have slumped 70% from all-time highs of $3,440.76 hit after Russia invaded Ukraine.
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To all you gasoholics, you're welcome.

Bob Wilson