Another Catalytic converter stolen in Chicago Area

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by tfrangella

Is an aftermarket cat just a problem waiting to happen?

I've put aftermarket catalytic converters on three of the vehicles I've owned and have never had a problem. (I tend to keep cars for a long time.)

[EdwardChen]

Originally Posted by jesbecause

Once you do the above , no problem with emissions ! This repair , after Cat is installed , should cost no more then $100 . The trick here is buying that collar/donut from the muffler shop , Meineke/Midas are the only ones to carry this , so worse comes to worse , just buy the collar and go to any mechanic that can weld , he'll probably want the rest of the job and ask you where you purchased the collar .

Good luck

Quick update, I got under my car and saw that the place I went to did weld one of those collars in. I extended my honda OEM sensor by about 4" and swapped out the generic sensor. It all looks good to me so far, it's been one day, about 50 miles and 6-7 starts without the light coming back. I'll check out the readiness code next time I remember to bring out the scanner.

Hopefully my mileage will go back to 20-22 after being about 17-18 since the cat was stolen.

Thanks again!

<edit> Just checked, Cat readiness code is set, so it's all good :)

[jesbecause]

Glad it worked out , you should also see a better MPG as you go . Just to be safe , buy some rubber electrical splicing tape ($2,H.D,Lowes) real sticky tape and heavy gauge , wrap the area you put the added length of wire , the underside is exposed to the elements , don't need this shorting out down the road at a bad time .......

Enjoy

[EdwardChen]

Oh yeah! I wrapped the heck out of it with a bunch of electrical tape and heat shrink and some duct tape too. I staggered the cuts as well, so all the joints aren't all bunched up at the same point to short out, hopefully, worst case, the wires get loose and I have an open that I can resolder.

I don't know what the sensor wires are made of, but they were really hard to wet with solder.

[jesbecause]

Don't want to hijack this thread , I forgot to mention about staggering the wires , good looking out ......... I think the wires are made with aluminum ......

[ariearch]

Damn, been back and forth to west Chicago and staying for a while over Christmas again. What about this idea of a brush guard or whatever it's called tack welded under the cat. Or is this not feasible.

[EdwardChen]

West Chicago as in the city of West Chicago (the suburb)? If you're out there, I wouldn't worry.

As for actually in the city, I wouldn't worry too much. I think that you'd have to have some pretty bad luck for them to be looking for a cat coincidentally the same time you're here.

Welding some bars across or putting in some aircraft cable probably doesn't hurt, if you have the capabilities and the time. I heard that aircraft cable (like in the Cat Clamp) is tougher to cut with a sawsall since it isn't rigid. I also feel that if you have the option and you're parking on the street, to park closer to the intersection.

[ariearch]

Glen Ellyn area...

[dvela85]

Mine was just stolen this morning. Who does this on Christmas morning. 60618 area

[EdwardChen]

dang, christmas morning! Sorry to hear that. I was hoping the snowfall would help keep the thieves away!