Going over board in Protecting my catalytic converter!!!!

Register your car in SD. They allow you to register a car without being a resident, and without the car being garaged in the state.

Edit - the registration can be done through the mail. No need to visit the state. This can be done for non-street legal motorcycles as well.

Edit 2 - I follow a thread on this topic regarding registering dirtbikes for the street. Occasionally, someone questions the legality of this approach. IANAL, but the general consensus is that most states require your car/motorcycle be registered to your current address. They never say your car must be registered to your current address by that particular state's dmv. So, you would have a car registered through SD to your CA address. Unless CA law specifically states the car must be registered to your address through the CA dmv, you are good to go from a legal standpoint.

Edit 3 - Of course, we don't have any of these issues in AZ. Only two counties require emissions, and that is an auto pass with no CEL or passing a sniffer, depending on the vehicle type. All motorcycles are street legal, so long as they have a headlight. This can literally be a mountbike headlight - and it doesn't even need to work, just be on the motorcycle. The light only needs to be on if you ride after dark.

 

I know the benefits of the South Dakota titling process very well. they're good people, those South Dakotaians !

 

I wish I could see the look on a thief's face when they see your weld job!!

 

When I thief looks underneath and sees what you have done, there is no way they would attempt to do anything. The screen alone will cause noise and possible snagging. What you have done is awesome.

 

Thank you for the very informative post and how to. My Cat just got stolen (in broad daylight at my office parking lot no less!) and thankfully replaced via comp ins with only a $100 deductible. We will be doing this in the next coming week to my 2008 since I don't want this happening again! Our neighborhood, and area in general, has been hit hard the past few years so I knew it was only a matter of time unfortunately.

 

Please share the general area or neighborhood, so that others can avoid.

 

Dude I wish you can do this to my car! I'll gladly pay. I just failed smog due to my cheap cat, so its either junk the car or buy the OEM cat.

 

I might take you up on the offer. Just failed smog with my cheapo aftermarket cat since my car was reading any numbers. I can't pass the smog check.

 

Can you, a family member, or a close friend register the car in another state that doesn't have an inspection?

 

lol as an immigrant I have very little family as is let alone someone out of state lol. Maybe in Asia haha

 

As the population of Gen 2's age out in the coming years, they'll go after the Gen 3 cats.

 

Maybe add motion alarm.

 

Nice job! As you mentioned, the main goal is to make your car a less attractive target for the thieves and you've obviously succeeded in achieving this. You could easily charge a reasonable amount for providing this to other Prius owners.