Catalytic converter stolen, non OEM replacement?

Yes, this cat model is offered by several vendors. Very easy to identify, I believe it's the only one using the crimped reduction at the pipe end and an allen drive type plug in the O2 sensor bung. Every other model I've seen does not install a plug in the threaded port.

 

I think that's one of the things that keeps me loyal to Prius. Once you've done the same work on it enough times it gets real quick and efficient and no matter how many times you do it there's always a new way to do it a little bit quicker.

 

Thanks, I’ll give it a whirl.

 

As a possible update, the one I bought in Nov, 2023 (using the ebay link previously posted) came with bolts that were too narrow to thread into the threaded holes used by the original bolts. The kit included nuts that fit those bolts, but that a) would be an incredibly challenging install, especially for one person; and b) seems like a risk for the nuts eventually vibrating right off. I was incredibly fortunate that after driving to the rent-a-bay-with-lift place, the original bolts were still on the undercarriage thingies, and I happened to stumble upon them.

 

Are you saying the aftermarket cat in the link above (our preferred link) didn't install correctly? Not sure what you mean "too narrow?" I've installed lots of this particular cat and the last one I installed I decided to use the Original OEM bolts that mount it to the header, rather than the new ones that came with it because they looked easier because they were slightly longer and original ones were still in good shape. But I didn't see anything narrower? They were same thread size. Are you saying they shipped you the wrong bolts?

 

When the cat was stolen from my 2005 Prius in Jan. 2022 I looked at all the offerings from Amazon but decided to go with the Walker 16337 from Rock Auto. I preferred a well-known brand from a trusted auto parts distributor. I was skeptical about some of the Amazon items. Yes, they were cheaper, but I wanted something which would work well and last a long time. I paid $331 then, but now (Jan. 2024) the price at Rock Auto has dropped to $283.
Installation was flawless and the car has been performing well for 2 years. No codes, no loss of mpg.
I’m satisfied.
I also installed a cat shield. It is said that thieves won’t steal aftermarket cats but I didn’t want to risk another theft.

 

Just going to chime in to say the AutoSaver88 brand on Amazon and Ebay is straight trash, I've gone through two of them now...first one crumbled (you could hear material rattling around in the cat) 2nd one just failed. They last roughly 6mo before failing and throwing a P0420 again, and if you try to contact them to file a warranty (supposed to be for 25,000mi) no one ever responds to email. Going to replace it with a Walker kit on Rock Auto (part number 16337) and hope for the best.

 

I know someone who ordered a quality generic cat (same size and 02 sensor bung) directly from a manufacturer in Canada. Found the seller on eBay but eBay won't let them sell to California. So calling directly made it no problem. Welded in the new cat and it's been working fine for five years now. Didn't even cost $100. A cat either works or it doesn't. Your car knows if it works (via 02 sensors and ECU). There are better and worse quality cats but that only relates to how long they will last, not how many exhaust gases are burned up. The California "certification" is total political corrupt BS only to line the pockets of someone who knows someone in Sacramento... It doesn't make the air any cleaner. Technically, your car won't pass smog in CA with a non-CA cat but not because of emissions, only if you have a really anal smog tech who's willing to go under your car, remove your cat guard, and visually inspect the cat to look for the "CA approved" verbiage. I have yet to find a smog tech who's that anal. Even if I did, I'd just go to another... F&#k CA!

 

Being here in reno is like being in CA anymore. Funny, cars need to comply with emissions, but the 30k jets thats fly over our heads every day cant, and they wont be electric, from solar, nor from nuclear, so coal it is. So yes, you’re onto something, yet, the LA basin where I grew up, used to be way dirtier in air quality. Difference is, all the manufacturing went over seas, so we just moved the problem out of sight, and now it’s all better, and of course China’s EPA is keeping the air quality nice and clean. There’s a rumor going around ( think rolling blackouts ) that even if CA wanted to go all electric they couldn’t get enough juice to do it, now granted, if they can get that boondoggle of the high speed rail, and everyone to live in the same building and work at the same place and time, for the same exact wage, they could get rid of cars all together.