Best catalytic converter anti-theft device, Gen 2?

Like citizens's arrest? ha ha ha. Well my grandma was a huge Democrat so the money in the drawer makes sense. I was joking about the taping the money under the car. Your solution must be to raise taxes, which is the only thing both parties can agree on, for better police since the existing taxes are all going to welfare and policing the non stop crime in the section 8 housing that goes with it. A $1000 catalytic converter theft is just another California politician's way of indirectly raising taxes. Rather than taxing people and using the money to bail out the car industry and businesses like repair shops, they just skip that step and force a citizen to pay $1000 for a $300 car part and then have a shop charge a bunch of money to install it, and the shop has to charge a lot of money to cover their legally mandated insurance, unemployment abuse, mandated licensing and fees, property taxes, employment taxes, employee health care, frivolous lawsuits from customers (leading to the high insurance cost), the threat of a union, fraudulent workman's comp situations, and potential equal opportunity employment lawsuits and other lawsuits from employees.

 

I am using the homemade alarm that is shown on a youtube video using a modified cheap Kerui motion sensor system. The kit comes with 2 sensors, 2 remotes and the alarm horn and is under $40. Just add some tape [to narrow the angle of the motion sensors] and magnets. The motion sensors are attached via magnets to the frame under each side of the car and the system remotely activated or deactivated. Anyone trying to crawl under the car will set it off. It will wake me and Messrs. Smith & Wesson before any damage is done to the car.

 

what can you share about your stainless steel guard for the gen 2 as far as reliability and heat temperature being stainless steel. anyone selling like an aluminum shield plate?
Thanks,,,,

 

And this stainless steel add on for the aluminum shield?
Cat Security™ 2004 - 2009 Prius - Level 2 Complete kit (ULTIMATE PROTECTION)

and

Cat Security™ 2004 - 2009 Prius - level 2 Upgrade (ULTIMATE PROTECTION UPGRADE)

Keep your Gen 2 Toyota Prius catalytic converter even safer with the Ultimate in protection from the Cat Security™ product line. Featuring two custom-fit stainless pieces that integrate perfectly with your standard Generation 2 install, this upgrade kit takes security to a whole new level.

 

is it worthit to buy a cheaper version or its just another jack in the box?

 

A cat shield is no more than a visual deterrent to make the potential thief to go elsewhere. I'd get the cheapest one available.

A potential determined skillful thief will take the cat with whatever cat shield is there.

 

Seriously. I just use the car to buy a grocery. if I was going to spend some tender loving care going to a car, it should be on my Austin Healey.
I think that's a great advise for my own purpose. I just don't understand why these guys don't wanna get a job instead of stealing from someone. welcome to the future...

 

Stealing a catalytic converter gets you a few hundred dollars on the black market for 2 minutes of work. Working at a job paying $15 an hour requires several hours of working to get that much. So for people who don’t care that it’s illegal or costly for their victims, it’s a much quicker way to get money.

 

I hope its worth it...
Man stealing catalytic converter crushed to death in Union County, deputies say
December 10, 2021 at 6:30 pm EST
By WSOCTV.com News Staff
UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A man who was in the process of trying to steal a catalytic converter was killed when the car he was beneath fell on him, authorities said.
According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called Wednesday evening to a home on West Unionville Indian Trail Road.
When they got to the scene, investigators found a man dead underneath a Toyota Prius.

 

so going back to the catalytic converter shield, I need to order it. as of where speaking now, I didn't know that mine got stolen l;ast night. So now I have to get a whole converter. and o2 sensor and 1 spring and bolt. what are these replacement converter I can get so I wont have to spend a pile of money.

 

A lot depends if you are in a C.A.R.B. state which requires an OEM quality or equivalent cat.

 

Actually we don't require smog for registration. However, I don't want to just straight pipe my car because I want to help out in cleaning the air. if I can get an aftermarket (which is okay here) what can be my choice.
Also with the 02 sensor, do I have to get the original Toyota sensor or can I just use a replacement.
Thanks,,,,

 

@Patrick Wong .. Can you get here when you get a chance. Need your help man.
Thanks,

 

Look at this video.

He installs this cat,

And this oxygen sensor.

 

So basically there are no welding involve as long as I got a connection to the silencer / muffler so I can insert the new catalytic assembly and clamp it?
Has anyone had experience with this setup or installed one. Just want to know the sound if its quiet like the original or louder. Just wondering if it affects the quietness.?
Thanks for the post... J

 

When I lived in the UK before no lead gas was available I removed a cat from a Toyota I brought from USA and replaced it with a straight pipe that Toyota offered at the time. No change in sound level. I doubt any cat makes it louder unless it is a rattler.

 

I ordered 2 for both of my Gen2s, should have them installed next week. The first time mine was cut out, I filed an insurance claim and got it replaced with an OEM cat. Uh oh. 3 wks later my cat was stolen from my other prius, bleh. I think they would take them out quicker than I could put them in. I ordered the cat shields but I am seriously considering installing a straight pipe and putting a sign in the window that says "no cat". I might remove my new cat and put a straight pipe in there until I am sure it will be secure. Was just going to hang some flex pipe in there so it runs quietly. I'll just leave the O2 sensor threaded into a metal block on the exhaust, but not in the exhaust stream, so it gets hot. At least until law enforcement can get all of this settled down and figure out a way to stop the money flow for the scrap.

 

Sorry for what happen to you too. They are out and about to anywhere. Thanks to the google map and they can spot any house, anywhere, anytime. I live on the hills upscale area. I hardly see any cars on the street just the regular neighbors and sometimes parking in the driveway. Its like a bare street and these guys just shows up obviously came from more than 10 miles away from us. Now I know why some people get shot on TV.

 

In other reports using the replacement catalytic converter the check engine light turns on after 2 to 500 miles. Is that cause by an aftermarket catalytic or O2 sensor?
This is the report below:

"3.0 out of 5 stars seemed to work, but get it welded to avoid leaks!
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
UPDATE: I'm now getting a P0420 code on the highway about low oxygen efficiency though everything else seems to be working fine. Be wary using non-OEM O2 sensor you use on it.

Customer service via email has been helpful, so keeping 3 stars for now until I can figure this out.

I had it installed by a mechanic and at first it was leaking exhaust with the provided clamps, but after having it welded instead everything seems to be fine, just like the original.

make sure to test for exhaust leaks after you install, and ideally use a CO meter (not a home detector as those are not sensitive enough) to make sure you're safe in the cabin!

FYI it doesn't come with instructions so you'll have to rely on reviews here and YouTube if you haven't done this job before.

This item brought my Prius back to life, very happy!"

 

Hi @Patrick Wong when you get a chance can you help me here like when we did my car 3 years ago. everything you recommended was fine. Need your advise on this catalytic converter replacement. I wanna do it the right way but not $3,000 since I'm paying for it on my own pocket. if you catch my drift.
Thanks, J.....