It's been a couple of years now, but mine was stolen out from under my Honda Element. And I know of at least two other Elements that were hit that night.
Took three months before I could get it back on the road legally.
Hmm. If your state doesn’t require vehicle emission tests (aka Florida) is there any reason to steal the converter ??
Happens a lot here and everywhere.
A local Plumbing company had all it’s vehicles disabled.
Make it illegal to sell to junkyards...make huge penalties for providing a market to sell. Photo ID required enforce regulation, Photo of seller, serial# on converter, stop illegals from coming into the U.S. Whatever, this shouldn’t be so hard. BTW, the amount is a felony.
Police say etching helps them track stolen catalytic converters and makes it harder for thieves to sell one.....Yes, because the chop shops and mechanics that buy these stolen catalytic converters really care about a number etched on.
In addition to the catalytic converter kit, Boulder Police also handed out steering wheel club locks to owners of cars that are at high risk for theft...Are they the same steering wheel clubs that thieves just cut the steering wheel and then remove the club? I remember watching a car thief demonstrate how long it took him to bypass one of them for a news crew. It was ridiculous.
Exhaust pipes are not made of carbon steel, but expanded metal sheeting often is. Get a section approx 2’ by 4’, and bolt it to the frame (or use self tappers when fastening to a unibody frame).
That will allow for air to flow through, but will be too much cutting for the crook looking for his usual 5-10 minute heist.
Perforated carbon sheet metal would work in the same fashion.
“Boulder Police give away hundreds of catalytic converter anti-theft kits”
the most effective anti-theft “kit” would be a sufficient length of rope with a hangman’s noose pre-tied to one end ...
