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Do not install catalytic shields on Prius V

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by icyrius, Mar 11, 2024.

  1. icyrius

    icyrius Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2016
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    Location:
    Florida, USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    My local news recently kept reporting of thieves stealing catalytic converters around my city. So, I rushed to order a catalytic shield sold on EBay as compatible with my vehicle.
    During installation, I noticed there was hardly any clearance between the plate and the cat pipe, but decided to install it anyways.
    While driving I occasionally heard both making contact when going over bumps. However last weekend during a highway jam, the pipes started to shake really hard and my car sounded like it was falling apart.
    I removed the plate last weekend after the experience. See attached pictures to look at the plate damage.
    IMG_0250.jpeg IMG_0251.jpeg IMG_0256.jpeg

    I probably only used this plate less than 3 months. I recommend that you do not install one on an Prius V. Unlike the Gen 3, the cat in this car is larger and bulkier. It does not leave room for a plate.
    Good luck!
     
    #1 icyrius, Mar 11, 2024
    Blackhawk5 likes this.
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2021
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    Location:
    SacTown, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    Use another vendor or buy a quality CAT shield. Mine isn't a Miller CAT shield; just a no-name brand - It doesn't even come close to touching or scraping. I go over speed bumps all day long without issues. Bend the shield a bit and/or place some spacers between the frame and shield to avoid this. As long as a CAT thief see a shield there; they're less likely to go after your car.

    Just my humble opinion......
     
    #2 BiomedO1, Mar 11, 2024
    Blackhawk5, Tim Jones and icyrius like this.
  3. Weirderal

    Weirderal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2019
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    Location:
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I had a Toyota dealership install mine, was a reasonable price. No problems since then and that was many thousands of miles and a few years ago, around the time I got it lifted.
     
    #3 Weirderal, May 6, 2024
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
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    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    An old Bronco II that I had came with a skid plate protecting the transfer case, and it mounted with two bolts to each frame rail, four bolts total.

    The bolt holes made a perfect rectangle, so naturally, a transmission shop that worked on it once discovered they could put the skid plate back on yawed 180°.

    In that position, the catalytic converter would touch it every time I accelerated (longitudinal engine, exhaust on the right, + torque = exhaust pressed down against the plate).

    I did notice some buzzes but didn't investigate right away. About a year later the catalytic converter broke off.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, May 6, 2024
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Quality control should have stuff like that on their check list; say pull one of the bolts in a bit, so it can only go on one way, can’t be reversed, flipped, whatever.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, May 7, 2024
    Air_Boss likes this.
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