Best catalytic converter anti-theft device, Gen 2?

Sorry, I don’t have experience with aftermarket cc for Prius so I have no advice to offer.

 

Saw some guys, i think from the Bulkans today, in a popular lagos market, where vehicle parts were sold.

They came looking to buy only catalytic converter substrates, from any vehicle at all.

Their major sources are from sellers of used exhaust sytems.
What they do is to come with raw cash, talk to the sellers about sourcing catalytic converters, and, boom! You have a bunch of catalytic converters, with the substrates in them being removed, using some sort of ramming tool.
They package them in polythene bags, and leave.

I have read an article, i think in the USA, where the precious metals like palladium, iridium, etc, are worth thousands of $$$ more now than even gold.

Seems like catalytic converters are the new goldmine or crude oil now guys.

 

Those precious metals will cost even more due to the deteriorating situation in Ukraine. Those metals are sourced in Russia.

You'll really see cat thefts increase soon.

 

The only thing I can share with you guys through my experience in losing a catalytic, as of today.. it doesn't matter if you live on a regular area or upscale. Those catalytic thieves will find you. thanks to the help of google map and youtube. They know exactly where you are and how to do it. They'll even risk their lives just for a few lousy cash....

 

We put it on our 2008. Our mechanic spent two extra days brainstorming and adjusting trying to keep it from rattling. No luck. At low speed while accelerating away from a stop it rattles. I had to climb the Cajon Pass in rush hour traffic during a snowstorm on July 15 and it sounded like the car was coming apart. Once I got up to highway speed on the open desert things quieted down. Now it's back to the the rattle we had during acceleration. There's just not enough room to do a whole lot about it.

In Bullhead City (population 42,000) the police department is getting a catalytic converter theft report every other day. Here on the Laughlin side of the river they've been hitting the casino parking lots and the RV storage facilities. We'll put up with the rattle until someone figures it out and starts stealing ccs with shields on them.

 

Update: Put a flex pipe in the 2nd prius, just have to deal with the O2 sensor and the CEL... Total cost was $85 including $50 for the welding. Sounds a little more throaty, but can live with it for now. At least it's driveable.

 

is your o2 sensor working with this new contraption or is your check engine light on?
Thanks,,,,

 

one more thing...
when I emailed the guy about the catalytic replacement. He sent me this message below. But I come to think about it they should be all the same. I got my car used at the Toyota dealer. Its an 07 prius with all the complete package including leather seats, jbl system and the alarm. but its not a touring. The salesman told me its a package 6. CCG Prius specs whatever that means. What I'm trying to say is the conversion was probably done before it came to the US. Anyways this is what the told me....

"
Thank you for your reply.
We checked your vin# and found your car was assembled in Japan, but this converter is not fit for Asian vehicles.
And there is the converter included in the package, excluded the O2 sensors.
Any other issues/questions, please contact us freely.
Regards,.........."

 

Right now, the CEL light is on. I was going to try to hook up an aftermarket O2 sensor, but keep it out of the exhaust stream, and see if that works. if not, I'll have to modify the sensor and fool it, if possible.

 

I've recently been paranoid about getting my cat stolen on my 2009 Prius. Living in a state that doesn't require CARB compliance, if my cat was stolen, could I just have a muffler shop install a straight pipe with an O2 bung welded into the pipe? That would certainly stop any future theft.

Or, does it simply not work that way?

 

Not sure if the muffler shop would do it for you, as they have to meet state regulations. I called my favorite mechanic and told him what I wanted to do, and he said "we won't touch it". So, I put the car on jack stands and did the job myself. So far so good, I can print out my parts list if you would be interested. This really helps with the paranoia.

 

You mean that you did a straight pipe and skipped the cat altogether? And you did it DIY? Yes, please. I'd love to get details on how you did this.

Oh, and one last question...Without the cat in place, is the exhaust system loud? Or, is it just as quiet?

Thanks.

 

Sure, it's definitely louder, but not unbearable. I let my daughter use the car, she's parked in an open area overnight, so it's a big risk for theft. She says she doesn't mind the sound. Here is the parts list:

Napa PNs:
Reducer EXH 41959 ($3.59)
Reducer EXH 41946 ($3.59)
Galv Flex Tube EXH 46973 6' ($17.76)
2" Muffler Clamps 2X ($3.56)
1.75" Muffler clamp ($1.59)
Exhaust Sealer PTX 765-1516 ($4.04)

I had the 2.5 - 2 reducer welded to the forward flange. The thief did not leave enough material for me to clamp to it tightly, that cost me .5 hrs of welding ($52.50). Got the shouldered bolts out of the front flange just fine. Cut the flex hose to length using a sawzall.

Will order a downstream O2 sensor and figure out what to do with that. Likely bolt it on to the flex hose somehow, but leave it out of the exhaust stream so it doesn't turn on the CEL.

Cheers

 

Thanks for your writeup. I appreciate it. However, several years ago, I used that flex tube on a different car, and it didn't even last me a year. I was thinking you used more of a permanent solution, with mild steel solid straight pipe, perhaps joining it up with something like this for the O2 sensor.

Oh, and why would the CEL come on if the O2 sensor is in the exhaust stream? Would it now work as normal even though the catalyst is gone?

 

Yes, I am beginning to think that I will install a cheap cc on it. Maybe write “aftermarket “ on it? Will look around. The O2 sensor downstream of the cat is sensitive to how well the cat is working. Normally the ecm compares the downstream and the upstream sensor signals to check if the exhaust gas is being stripped of nasties. If the ecm doesn’t like what it sees, it will turn on the cel and display the infamous P0420 code, “ Bank one efficiency below threshold“ if memory serves. Keeping the o2 sensor out of the exhaust stream might fool the ecm…emphasis on the word might.

 

I thought the stainless steel version of MillerCAT Cat Shield for Prius Gen 2 would increase the protection level but thieves still managed to cut through and stole the catalytic converter.

 

How did the thieves manage to cut through the Miller cat shield? Can you post a pic of the cuts?

 

Does the car run good with the CEL on, any long term effects?

 

Hi Bill,

I have had 4 cats stolen from my '07 Prius. The first two with "the shield". It was easy for the thieves to remove and they just left it under the car, undamaged. The second shield was bolted with several different kinds of hardware. The next $550 anti-theft device I bought was called "the cage" and made with metal that supposedly turned into razor blade sharp when one cut it. After 8 months of peace, the thieves cut it.

I think the shield is useless and "the cage" is better. Perhaps in a less "hot" area the cage would last longer.

My driveway mechanic who I went to after the expensive installs failed me makes something custom with insanely thick metal that he welds on. I'll try that next.

I bought a cheap after market cat on eBay because I'm so fed upland stuck signs on my '07 Prius that my cat is worthless.

Good luck!

It's a headache.

Vanessa

 

Yup, Im in the same boat !