BigZeke5

The sheet metals, I welded, but to the actual car, everything is bolted to the frame. I did it to where IF I need to take it to the dealer then the block plate is not interferring with nothing. If they need to move it for some reason, then they can unscrew it off. I would not mind lowering the car. I wonder if HPD has lower suspension avialiable and still be in warranty...... I'm gonna do research on that.

The thieves cut right before the cat and right after. It's the same cuts I saw on the other 6 elements that were at my dealer........

BigZeke5

My car has only been hit once. I'd get an alarm installed on the element. Did all this happen during the day or night?

0Deatschwerks

This was my immediate thought, too. It may not be completely theft proof, but it will definitely be a deterrent.

Found this with a quick Google search: http://www.catclamp.com/

BigZeke5

Here are some photo's.

BigZeke5

Just an update, cat has not been stolen as of now..........

EHondaJDM

Lol

B18C5-EH2

No offense intended, but just how does that sheet metal set up keep someone from cutting through the piping to steal the converter?

rkcarguy

That sucks, but yeah people on crack love those things.
I used to lease a business "condo" next to a cat buyer...tweakers come in with sawed out cats...then jack their car up right there and off that one comes...go driving out with the exh draggin. Then their back with one of their fathers Jag's, remove cat, drive away with exhaust dragging
Seems like the only hope sometimes is that they OD on their "catcash" and are no longer a problem..

Actually it's not a bad idea, that sheet metal would flap around and make a bunch of noise trying to hack thru with a sawzall, but tin snips will make short work of it. I'm looking at a CRV for the wife I will have to take that into consideration.

BigZeke5

None taken. Where the sheet metal is at, is the first cut off point. I decided to block that point because you can cut always after the cat (piping). By me blocking that area, there is no room anywhere to cut. The sway bar is in the way and its gonna take way longer if they even try to cut where the heat shield is at going up. I know its sheet metal and it can be cut off, but its going to take them alot longer to that. I also did it with the intentions of making other things accesible if nessecary with out blocking anything esle........

BigZeke5

I'm not a fabricator or welder, but I think its an ok job. Its not the top of the line work cuz I know its not. For being my first time doing something like this and welding for the first time ever, I'm content.

It's still intact so it must be working.........

MAyala03

So, any update? How did your welding job hold up? My converter got stolen 4 weeks ago, on the day after Christmas. Coughed up the $1000 ded, got it fixed...I wake up today and guess what, stolen again. I was looking into the CATCLAMP but everyone seems to think in they can cut the converter, they can cut the wires. I am out of options and out of money!!!

I think if everyone that had a their converter stolen wrote a letter to the Honda Manufacturer, maybe we could get some sort of resolution. Why are the Elements and Pilots a hot commodity? I parked next to a jacked up Toyota Tacoma, way higher than my car and I still got targeted.

Help!!

LDForget

do something like this :



but with your cat. Thats a mattress wrapped around a driveshaft incase you dont know.

BigZeke5

My cat is still intact and has not been stolen yet. I also added an alarm as well, and I always try to park on the right side of the curb. Reason why Elements and pilots are a hot commodity is because its very easy to access. The vehicle is alomst a foot off the ground and thier is nothing blocking the cat. All you have to do is get on the right side of the car and cut off. The cat honda's use are a 3 way catalytic converter not to mention the metal thats in it like palladium. That is worth money. I have heard of people getting $60-$100 a pop.

Who is your insurance? DAM thats an expensive deductible. Its comprehensive. You know you can have a way lower deductible. My deductible was $500.00 and I lowered it to zero! My monthly payment only went up $20.00 Look into that! I have statefarm...

Honda will not do nothing about it. Honda cant control theft.

BigZeke5

LMAO!!! Nice.....

bigKB123

So, I came home the other day and my gf says "can you check out my car (2008 element) there's something wrong with it?" Cranked the thing up, and it sounded like crap. I opened up the hood and checked out the intake, filter, etc. Everything looked good!! So I slide under the car, and I see a cut on the piping 1 inch in front the Cat. They almost cut through the pipe completely. So I ask her"when did it start sounding like this"? She says, "when I started it in the mall parking lot last night I noticed it sounded weird, I was at the mall for like 3 hrs"..When she said 3hrs, I palmed my face and shook my head..
Anyway took it to a muffler shop, 30 bucks to weld it shut.

It's the holiday season, so crooks are salivating.

NMJimCRV

In 2010 palladium pricing saw about $100+/ounce increase, so cats were very attractive. It has fallen a bit since, but you can see it is peaking up again.

CatClamp looks interesting:

CatClamp Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Lock

BigZeke5

Eventually your gonna have to take care of it if you want to pass emissions.....

bigKB123

Took care of it asap. 30 bucks to weld it!