1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Another Cat Stolen Question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by seabright_sc, Nov 12, 2020.

  1. seabright_sc

    seabright_sc Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2014
    15
    3
    0
    Location:
    Santa Cruz
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    California. 2005 Prius in very good condition, replaced battery, car is worth keeping.

    Cat has been stolen, I am thinking of replacing it with a 49 state cat that cost $125 compared to $2000 OEM Cat from dealer along with $50 Denso ox sensor.

    Yes, I know that this is not legal in CA With the primary concern being that it would fail visual inspection, though emissions would likely pass.

    However, I am thinking of also installing one of the cat shields to deter future theft and make Smog inspection more difficult .

    What do smog shops do for the visual inspection of the CAt when they come across a Prius with a theft deterrent cat shield? I’m assuming they’re not going to take those off for the inspection, or do they?

    Yes I know that I am inquiring around getting around the law, but then there is the reality of Cost of repair , real Possibility of repeated theft While considering the value of the 15-year-old car. Thank you for any insight and suggestions.
     
    #1 seabright_sc, Nov 12, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2020
    Mel Scott and PriusCamper like this.
  2. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    That sounds like a good plan to me!

    I have never lived in California so I don’t know how thorough these inspections are, but I’d think you’d be fine.

    I replaced my old clogged cat with a magna flow one a year ago, still works great!
     
    #2 Aaron Vitolins, Nov 12, 2020
    seabright_sc likes this.
  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,257
    15,491
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Some smog shops don't look underneath;).

    So you just need to "shop around" :).

    They're out there(y).
     
    #3 Raytheeagle, Nov 13, 2020
    Georgina Rudkus and Aaron Vitolins like this.
  4. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    5,302
    4,241
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Like @Raytheeagle kindly mentioned above, best to scope out potential shops from afar to see if they visually inspect or not.

    The latest shop looked under the car on hands and knees, then looked between the engine and the firewall from the passenger side.

    Another shop only uses a telescoping mirror to inspect the cat (think vehicular bomb inspection or US mint entry), guess he was tired.
     
    #4 SFO, Nov 13, 2020
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  5. lexidium

    lexidium Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2015
    245
    110
    0
    Location:
    manchester
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You don't have to pay for a cat shield because the cheap, replacement cat will have no value so nobody would bother stealing it.
    The thieves know exactly what they're looking at.
     
    #5 lexidium, Nov 13, 2020
    Mel Scott likes this.
  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,244
    2,258
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The California Air Resources Board does random inspections of smog test sites. I'd be surprised, if any shop would risk their hundreds of thousands of dollars investment in equipment, training and licenses just to appease a few Prius owners.
     
    #6 Georgina Rudkus, Nov 13, 2020
  7. Mel Scott

    Mel Scott New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2021
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Reno NV
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Three Touring
    We are in N nevada where there's a raft of catalytic converter thefts this winter. Ithe non-toyota shop I use prefers OEM for "better results" they say.
    But told today there is a nationwide back order on these.
    Insurance Co threatens to only cover after market cats.
    We have 2007, 175, 000 miles. Mpg runs 44.
    Advice? And recommendations for after market brand puleasse! (What's magma type someone mentioned?)
    Thx!!!
     
    #7 Mel Scott, Jan 26, 2021
  8. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,244
    2,258
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    #8 Georgina Rudkus, Jan 27, 2021
    Mel Scott likes this.
  9. seabright_sc

    seabright_sc Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2014
    15
    3
    0
    Location:
    Santa Cruz
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I ordered from
    eBay arctic exhaust .$144. Works fine for last 1000 miles , no check engine light
     
    #9 seabright_sc, Jan 27, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)