hello- I need to get my cat replaced but am worried about it just getting stolen again. do the aftermarket anti-theft plates actually work?
Like many things, they'll work until they don't. It might save you from the first hit, but someone will come with the right angle grinder. We had a member here who mentioned having one of these cheap plates cut offer when they had their cat stolen for the second time. If going with an aftermarket cat option (not the usual in California), the plate would cost about the same as the aftermarket cat. Best not to rely on only a thin plate of aluminum if spending 2k+ on an OEM replacement.
Here are some pics of the Cap City muffler shields. Gen3: Gen4 / Prime: They also make one for the Gen2. They rivet right on, so should be a good deterrent .
No, there have been reports of thieves cutting through other theft deterrents (I believe the ones that add a bunch of metal wires around the catalytic converter), but none that I’ve heard of that got past a shield. And after I had my catalytic converter stolen twice last year, to the tune of over $3000 to replace each time (thank God insurance covered it!), I decided I’d better get a shield. It cost $305 installed and I haven’t had any theft problems since.
just one more reason why it should be legal to shoot thieves. the kind of vermin that steal are definitely worth less than a converter; for that matter less than the cost of the bullet they deserve.
my shield works in that it makes me feel better. but i know it is not perfect. its part of a layered risk reduction strategy. it basically works by changing the risk/reward calculation that the thief goes through inside their head. without a shield, it would be a quick 30 seconds job to jack up, cut the pipe, get the cat and run. with a shield, they have to carry some kind of heavier duty metal cutting gear, get under the car for maybe 10 minutes, and make a huge amount of noise as they cut through several feet of sheet metal. this is very likely to draw attention in the places where i park and so the thief will likely not take the chance and move on to some more low risk endeavor.
Hi .. For me so far yes. I had to put on the cat shield plate. I think I have replaced 5 cats thus far before the plate. Going strong since Nov 20
You would think there are some sensitive alarms that would pick up the vibration. I KNOW back in the day there were alarms that would go off if the car was jacked up. Might look into that. To some people that cover just gives them something extra to scrap.
I bought one and installed it myself. I go back to the old adage locks are made for honest people. If thieves want something bad enough they'll get it. To me a couple hundred dollars was worth piece of mind.
Well, Real Life came and tested my theory today. Went out to start my car... sounded like my front bumper was grinding on a curb... but it was actually the Resonator that was laying on the ground getting dragged by my cat shield. Apparently they cut out the resonator, (the big piece just behind the cat, but not the muffler), got spooked, dropped it, and left. My cat is still there behind the shield, my muffler is still there, and my Resonator is now in my cargo area... with a cable holding up my floppy muffler pipe. So. The Cat Shield saved my Cat.... but it will not prevent someone from trying to attack it and causing a bunch of damage and hassle. I mean I even had the little Cat Shield sticker on the back of the bumper and everything! Can't believe they didn't see my sticker. On the plus side I now have an almost straight piped prius. It sounds really ... interesting.
Close call. Might be time to try a tilt sensor, there are numerous posts regarding such, but here is a thread from yesterday that could get you started. Directed Electronics 507M Tilt Sensor Installation Instructions with Factory Alarm | PriusChat
Maybe they did see your sticker and just decided to cause damage, just because, you know, they are vindictive SOBs.
