What's the most difficult catalytic converter protector to cut?

Hello,

My Toyota Prius 2008 catalytic converter was recently stolen for a second time despite installing a cat shield after it got stolen the first time.
I've been doing some research and looking for possible replacements for my existing no brand name cat shield protector:



As you can see, it's very thin and based on the video footage, it took them only 5 minutes to steal it, despite my mechanic who installed it for $200, 1.5 years ago, told me that it would make it more difficult for them to do it and instead of 5 minutes, it would take them 30 minutes to steal it, but that doesn't seem like the case after the second time. A muffler shop also told me that the cat shield that I have is no good, and that he keeps seeing catalytic converters getting stolen with a cat shield like mine as he pointed with his finger to 4-5 cat shields like mine that were laying on his floor.

Now I saw that CatMiller shield is the the leading brand, but is it really better? The metal ("plate" as one muffler called it) still looks thin and easy to cut, and it costs $300+? Also I heard that some people with CatMiller still had their catalytic converter stolen.

I stumbled upon these videos by "Tesh Monkey":

And what's being suggested by "Tesh Monkey" is to get rebar cage, one costs $8 in Home Depot, in minute 1:35 in the first video, he tries to cut it with an electric saw, and it shows that it gets heated and barely cuts anything.

Are there good places that do this kind of custom work in LA for a reasonable price?

So far, I found a private guy that does it here:

LA STEEL & SPARK - 18 Photos - Hawthorne, CA - Yelp

He used to charge $250 for this, but now he's charging $450 - He's using solid steel (4 inch long 3.8 inch wide), he claims none of his customers had their catalytic stolen yet, he says he makes it very difficult for thieves to cut through the metal, and it's going to make lots of noise when they cut through it. The price is a little expensive compared to the alternatives, but if it's really better than the alternatives it might be worth it.

I also spoke with a muffler shop (3C Performance Exhaust) today, asked them if they do it, they told me they do custom work with stainless steel and it costs $300. They said it takes 3 hours to cut through it. That might a more reasonable option.

What are your thoughts about this and do you have any suggestions as well? The goal is to find something that makes it very hard to cut through it, takes a long time, and heats up their saw but doesn't really cut much and makes lots of noise. I think this kind of thing, together with a car alarm might be a very good deterrent combo. Discuss.

Thank you!

 

But what about the rebar custom work? Is that guy claim that it would take them 3 hours to cut is true?

 

Can you tell from the yelp pictures?
LA STEEL & SPARK - 18 Photos - Hawthorne, CA - Yelp

 

@PriusCamper @Mendel Leisk

So basically my option are between this:



$300

custom made

stainless steel

3C Performance Exhust muffler shop

Time to cut according to their muffler technician: 3 hours

3C PERFORMANCE EXHAUST - 156 Photos & 184 Reviews - 2608 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA - Yelp

Some reviews about it:





VS



$450
weld cages to vehicle around catalytic converter
custom weld bar 4 inch long 3.8 inch wide

thick steel

bender

metal wholesale supply house

bar stack

private person installer (not a shop)

Time to cut: According to him, when they see solid steel they don’t even try (it's too much time to cut, and it makes too much noise - although he wasn't specific about time) and nobody from his clients had their cat stolen.

https://yelp.to/fTIJD5gmovb

for reviews and more pictures

I'm thinking to get the $300 stainless one - because I'm worried that the $450 steel one could develop rust which could spread to the rest of the car - Also I don't think the extra $150 will make a big difference in cutting either one - your thoughts? Do you think there is a big difference between the stainless steel in the picture and the bender steel?

Here's what I found about something that compares stainless steel and steel:





Please advise ASAP as I just got a new cat and I don't want it to get stolen for the third time.

Thank you!

 

I’m not saying it’s impossible to steal. All I’m saying is if it takes long time to cut and makes lots of noise that it’s a good deterrent to have!
The $300 option guy claims it takes 3 hours to cut his stainless steel cage so how can you still say it takes 60 seconds? What’s “sawz-all? Looking at this video of sawz-all cutting a stainless steel it looks like makes lots of noise:

And it seems to cut relatively quick but keep in mind they have to cut the cage in multiple places...

Why you think the $450 would take more time? You mean a little more than 60 seconds? lol

One thing is for sure, the generic cat shield plate I have right now is worthless because when the mechanic replaced my cat yesterday he simply used an auto screw device to unscrew it in 4 places and basically he got off the plate in one minute - so if the thieves bring a simple screw driver machine they can remove the plate very easily... they don’t even need to cut it.

 

Do you have a link where can I buy it for an inexpensive price and maybe some pictures of it or how it’s used in action (presumably by you?)?

 

Sorry but no, you put an alarm under the car from the outside which can be stolen or disarmed before the act.

A better spend for your money is get shock and tilt sensor on ebay for $50 and get it installed for $100 (that’s what I did).

Here’s a video that shows how to install it: