Catalytic Converter security devices?

[Calidad]

Anyone try or do some kind of plate or cover to slow catalytic converter theft?

Also thinking any sort of cover would trap the high heat and cause serious heat issues? Thoughts or ideas?

So the catalytic converter theft is linked to the crack down on emissions in china and shortage of raw materials the authorities in the US and UK are finding most are being shipped to china by organized crime due to the high value l.

 

[scottdm]

It's what insurance is for.... A plate to guard the Cat would likely also trap debris (grass, leaves, etc) and be a fire risk.

 

[Calidad]

Just trying to avoid that mess to start with. My risk is likely low but curious if someone might have seen something interesting that might avoid trapping heat and debris

 

[5280tunage]

The good news is that with a stock Expy, there isn't all that much ground clearance for someone to get under and functionally cut out a cat. At least in my area they are targeting higher ground clearance vehicles mostly, trucks, Jeeps, and other SUV's that are a little easier to crawl under. Many of them are going after dual exhaust vehicles as well for more cats at a time. It's pretty ridiculous actually, but hey, at least in my state it's petty and they sure as heck won't punish the doers so what's to stop them?

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Anyone try or do some kind of plate or cover to slow catalytic converter theft?

Also thinking any sort of cover would trap the high heat and cause serious heat issues? Thoughts or ideas?

So the catalytic converter theft is linked to the crack down on emissions in china and shortage of raw materials the authorities in the US and UK are finding most are being shipped to china by organized crime due to the high value l.

How did you determine and verify that most are being shipped to China by organized crime?

 

[Calidad]

How did you determine and verify that most are being shipped to China by organized crime?

Several recent big busts have been linked to shipments headed back to China in both US and UK. The US law enforcement agencies seem to be really getting aggressive in tracking the players and going after the bigger stashes in just the last few weeks.

 

[Calidad]

The good news is that with a stock Expy, there isn't all that much ground clearance for someone to get under and functionally cut out a cat. At least in my area they are targeting higher ground clearance vehicles mostly, trucks, Jeeps, and other SUV's that are a little easier to crawl under. Many of them are going after dual exhaust vehicles as well for more cats at a time. It's pretty ridiculous actually, but hey, at least in my state it's petty and they sure as heck won't punish the doers so what's to stop them?

No joke they are jacking up Prius and sawzaw bang gone in 60 seconds here.

 

[Calidad]

Its so bad here our local hardware store reported a strange couple buying blades today. Pd confirmed its the same couple and car seen on security cameras hitting several cars in our area.
To bad PD missed them by 2 minutes.. That would have been a cool bust.

 

[5280tunage]

Reminds me back in the day when I used to do custom stereos/alarms. You could use a normally grounded circuit, screw it to the heatshield on the cat, and have a decent ground. When/If the cat was cut off, the ground is dead and you could trigger an instant alarm. I doubt these factory systems have any extensibility (i.e. ability to add another trigger) but if it did, you could. You could even use a positive 12v circuit if you need to but you'd have to setup a relay with the control being the ground, so it would be normally open, and when the ground is cut, it would close the +12v and trigger an alarm. Anyone know if these factory alarms have a +12V trigger you can use?

 

[Calidad]

Reminds me back in the day when I used to do custom stereos/alarms. You could use a normally grounded circuit, screw it to the heatshield on the cat, and have a decent ground. When/If the cat was cut off, the ground is dead and you could trigger an instant alarm. I doubt these factory systems have any extensibility (i.e. ability to add another trigger) but if it did, you could. You could even use a positive 12v circuit if you need to but you'd have to setup a relay with the control being the ground, so it would be normally open, and when the ground is cut, it would close the +12v and trigger an alarm. Anyone know if these factory alarms have a +12V trigger you can use?

Great idea. Seems like a no brainer for automakers to incorporate.