Add me to the list of stolen catalytic converters

[Loyal Toyota]

Hey folks!

I went to the movies earlier this evening and came back to a throaty V8. Definitely have read this too many times and never expected to have it happen to me. This could not have come at a worst time. I am currently in college and live 3 hours from home. I seriously do not have the funds to put out on this right this moment.

I'd like to know if I can run it straight (with muffler) without affecting anything or a cheap and effective replacement?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

 

[4x4runner2002]

It shouldn't hurt anything on the car just make it really loud. I know in California it's like a 2000 dollar ticket per cat that your missing. My buddy had a 2010 gt500 with no cats ask him how I know.

 

[thor999]

I went to the movies once, parked right in front of the box office, and had my back window broken out and 3k of stereo stuff stolen. Never installed another stereo since then lol damn I hate thieves. :dammit:

 

[DHCO]

Depending on what insurance you have you might be able to claim it which if your deductible isn't too high may soften the blow.

 

[Stick Figure]

damn i guess i need to go see a movie ... I was waiting for someone to snag my worn out cats so insurance could buy me a new pair! luckily i passed smog again by a very small margin, so i can stop parking it in shady parts of town.

As far as the original poster straight pipe will cause you to throw a check engine light for the p0420 code unless you also find an o2 simulator to go with the straight pipe. 49 state legals cats really aren't that expensive so I would probably just look into that route. Although I don't remember Iowa having any kind of checks for things like that to worry about.

 

[SmokeyMcBong]

Sorry, i'm new!lol

people climb under your truck and hacksaw off your cat? for what purpose? do they have street value or do they have a truck that needs one?

sorry again for the stupid questions but i've just never heard of this before. now i'm off to research on the interweb!

edit: ahh, now it all makes sence.

 

[samdajellybeenie14]

Sorry, i'm new!lol

people climb under your truck and hacksaw off your cat? for what purpose? do they have street value or do they have a truck that needs one?

sorry again for the stupid questions but i've just never heard of this before. now i'm off to research on the interweb!

edit: ahh, now it all makes sence.

People mainly seem to steal them because they have precious metals like platinum in them, so they are worth a lot of money. Yes, they do climb under your truck with a hacksaw and hack it off.

 

[combatmedic]

I was interning at this ****ty hospital on the southside of san antonio, at the time I had a lowered eclipse (dont laugh). I didn't have a cat so I was good, but they stole like 30 something cats DURING THE BROAD DAY LIGHT!!!! Ballsy man. Ballsy.

 

[Loyal Toyota]

Thanks for the help and replies everyone!

I have $500 deductible through Country insurance. I have yet to hear from the insurance guy this week, but I've heard its a $2500 fix through the dealer.

Iowa and Illinois both don't have emissions, so I am not worried for that.

I am not sure if I want to go aftermarket. I hear from others that they fail or rattle after a time. Also, I know I need back-pressure and I liked the low end torque I was getting from the OEM cats. I'll have to find time to do some reading and research.

I'm still a little flustered at this. I've never had something bad like this happen to me.

 

[Drcoffee]

You'll need the cat clamp on the next one.

 

[the great him]

You'll need the cat clamp on the next one.

is this/that a joke?

 

[Stick Figure]

I think I would rather do something with a bit of armor rather than wrapping it in a chain.

Something like the FJZ80s

 

[LDForget]

exhaust back pressure required is .5-1 PSI, so its very easy to lose it. Dont put in a straight pipe as you'll get a cat inefficiency code. Put in a cheap magnaflow of the same size (pipe diameter). their about 70$ and easy to install. They work pretty well at first, but lose efficiency after age. You shouldnt ever have to worry about a code coming up though. Best of luck.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

I think I would rather do something with a bit of armor rather than wrapping it in a chain.

Something like the FJZ80s

Thats nice and all but imagine the pain in the ass that would be to remove if your cat dies

And Loyal Toyota, sorry for your situation man. I live in Southern California and I hear countless stories have cats being stolen off our trucks. My neighbor has a '98 4runner and he had his stolen before. So he just put a straight pipe in. He claims he gets more power now (I dont know about that). As for his smog checks, he knows a guy who passes him for 200 bucks lol.

 

[bandman659]

If you don't have to get emissions checked, I would go straight pipe and an O2 simulator to fool the downstream sensor. If you are so inclined, Magnaflow universal cats are ok quality and a muffler shop/buddy with a welder should be able to weld one in for cheap/beer money.

 

[jspagna1]

Happening more & more these days. Two weeks ago the local news said a local Nissan Dealer was hit. They stole like 20 Cats of a bunch of Muranos that were parked in the back lot. They had customers come in for a test drive and BAM......

 

[kelly2310]

The cheapest replacement would be to buy a hacksaw and find a 4runner in a dark parking lot.... I kid, I kid. Damn thieves! :AK47:

I plan on welding some expanded metal around down there to protect mine, especially now that I've taken the running boards off and it's so easy to just slide under there. Solid plates may trap too much heat I think.