What are old catalytic converters going for?

[The Critic]

Sell your first-gen Prius to someone outside California, where they don't have to deal with the cat rules

Since cars don't rust in CA, you can weld on a universal cat with no problem

And do it every 1-2 years because the universal ones contain inadequate amounts of the necessary precious metals.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

And do it every 1-2 years because the universal ones contain inadequate amounts of the necessary precious metals.

That's ok because at least you can get a converter outside CA. It doesn't matter how much better OE is over aftermarket if you can't even get the former in the first place.

Eastern's warranty is 5 years/50k even on non-CARB converters

Does California grant any waivers due to parts unavailability? That is, will they let you use a non-CARB cat if a legal one isn't available? I think they have some kind of provision for emergency out-of-state repairs

 

[Rmay635703]

Does California grant any waivers due to parts unavailability? That is, will they let you use a non-CARB cat if a legal one isn't available? I think they have some kind of provision for emergency out-of-state repairs

Yes but requires time and extreme prejudice like all beuricratic nightmares and most in CA don’t realize it’s a thing you can do.

What they should do instead of said process is note when one guy asks for exemption make a list of cars you can buy aftermarket .

 

[hank2]

I can't offer any prices, but going by local news reports the cat thievery is back in full swing. Someone just had the cat robbed from a F250 in a parking lot. A couple of years ago there were a lot of cats cut off of new vehicles on dealer's lots. A nearby Caddy/GMC dealer had 9 vehicles hit in one night. I've seen videos online of people constructing elaborate theft proof shields on their downstream cats.

 

[eljefino]

I got $220 for one off a 2005 malibu V6 and $600 off a 2nd gen prius.

 

[wolfox03SS]

I got $150 for the pair off my '03 SS. They got poisoned when No° 6 & 5 coil packs splintered apart on me on a deep throttle run.

In my case, I had to go through a state licensed recycle center. I had to produce proof of ID, registration/ownership and the serial numbers on the catalyst shells had to be visible. Once checked against VIN, you'll get your check mailed to you after 3 day waiting period.

I clamped test pipes into place until check arrived. I used the monies to purchase a set of Walker high Flo Catalysts (not a sponsor) and MIG welded them in place myself.

Relatively inexpensive, but convoluted process.

The seriously stupid, sometimes circular process of catalyst recycling in my state is there to keep thievery at a minimum. You cannot sell one off used. You can only scrap. And the scrappers are looking for your bona-fides and proof of original ownership otherwise they'll tell you to walk.

 

[53' Stude]

Took my 09’ Camrys maniverter or converter from cylinder head to exhaust in today. Got $80. Oh well

 

[01rangerxl]

I can't offer any prices, but going by local news reports the cat thievery is back in full swing. Someone just had the cat robbed from a F250 in a parking lot. A couple of years ago there were a lot of cats cut off of new vehicles on dealer's lots. A nearby Caddy/GMC dealer had 9 vehicles hit in one night. I've seen videos online of people constructing elaborate theft proof shields on their downstream cats.

That seems to be the case here. All but one of our gas trucks at work has been hit, the exception is parked behind a fence and already has an obviously aftermarket replacement, which is probably worth less. These are mostly GMT800s, a Savana 3500, a 6.0 Isuzu, and a 5.4 F-150, all over 10 years old.