Around here there are scrap metal recyclers that will buy them from anyone. Some are starting to ask for an ID and pay by check only for anything over $25. I got $140 cash for my 93 cat at one of them.

 

Okay I have this poopie mazda 323 that Im going to part out and this guy keeps asking about the cat so here are the messages:
this is the first message
He wrote:
do you have any FACTORY catalytic converters available? Are they full? Price? Thanks.

I NEED TO SEE A PIC OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO EVEN MAKE AN OFFER!!!

If we can make a deal, and the pics show they are factory and 100% full inside I WILL PAYPAL IMMEDIATELY!
Thanks!
I WILL BUY ALL THE CONVERTERS YOU HAVE FROM ANY VEHICLE!!!
I wrote:
yeah Im not going to sell the cat since its forbidden by the epa, why would I sell it to you when I might want to sell it myself and go through the trouble of taking it off?

He wrote:
I am a LICENSED core buyer and I am the largest buyer int he US...and I dont pay small time prices and then resell....I buy 90% of all US cats..I am the last link in th echain...I pay $110 EACH for small foreigns.

last message
I wrote:
good for you and I'm the guy stealing them for smack. thanks but no thanks I like my cats purring...

 

i kinda wish someone would steal mine so i could get a high flow

 

A reputable welding and fabrication company in Toledo, OH. has a new patented theft deterrent designed just for catalytic converters . It makes too much work for the thieves in a hurry. The CatClamp is the only security system on the market designed exclusively to fight catalytic converter theft. It was in Newsweek online in January 09, 2008. Go to Catclamp.com the CatClamp is much cheaper than repairing a vehicle after catalytic converter theft.

 

Repost!

The problem with the catclamp is that it gets theives to just use the sawzall before and after the clamp part so then instead of unboolting they cut, and often you can lose the oxygen sensor too.

I think the best form of prevention is to swap in an aftermarket and spraypaint it or try and highlight the fact it is aftermarket.

That way you don't have to replace more of your exhaust if they cut instead of unbolt.

Stupid tweaker theives!

 

I dunno, according to the description, the cable also wraps around the frame, If they cut the pipe you still have the cat cabled to the frame...

course, no matter what you do, there are jerks who will figure out how to get around it.

 

We had this happen at work, four brand new RX350's. Dumb thieves didn't know it was just a resonator that they were taking. I bet the scrap yard didn't give them much.
(That cats are part of the exhaust manifold).

 

build a skid plate under it so they cant get to it with the lol

 

Tru Dat! The bud Built skid plat we have on Troy's rig covers it. I have a tranny skid that sort of covers mine...

That really is the best option. Well that and moving away from the west and east coast. Haven't had many problems in Colorado *yet*

 

Here's a brain fart. Why not get some kinda muffler looking giz that would bolt over the cat as camo? How about it Wabbit you reading this post?
Jim

 

'90 Toyota 4x4 pickup in Dallas, TX.
I'm buying a bolt on replacement, having a straight pipe with flanges made and will only put the converter on at inspection time. Sorry environment but I can't keep replacing catalytic converters.
Mine took two days and three attempts to steal. They tried to unbolt it and had trouble or were spooked Saturday morning so I had the damaged muffler replaced and had the mechanic weld the bolts on the converter. Then they came back at 3 AM Sunday and started sawing, which woke the neighbors who spooked the thieves off but they came back an hour later and, while the neighbor was on the phone with 911, they sawed it off and left. All this while I slept blissfully unawary with 2 9mm's and a 12 ga Mossberg within easy reach.