Well, two weeks ago my catalytic convertor got stolen from my 2010 element SC. I did the whole insurance claim etc. What I need help is a way to block the cat from being stolen again. I was thinking of buying sheet metal to cover the cat, or installing like a 5 feet long by 6 inch height 16 guage steel metal to the sides of the car to reduce the access to the cat. Any ideas as to what I can do? I am going to install an alarm soon.......

 

Lower your element? When catalytic converter theft was big a few years ago toyota trucks were a big target because they were so high off the ground at stock height it was pretty easy to get underneath them to cut the cat off.

 

I think stuff like this will get worse before it gets better. Get some smaller tires!

 

I think you should do the sheet metal idea. Use some strong/thicker metal to cover it up. I am sure that this will prevent it from getting stolen

 

The thing I don't like about sheetmetal is that catalytic converters get really, really hot. I think without having any airflow around it its going to get too hot. Maybe a cage. Thing is if they have the tools to cut it off they can just cut through whatever you put around it.

 

cover the bottom of your element with strategically placed razor blades

 

My warranty will be voided.....

The tires are 45 already...... Not trying to go smaller.

I went yesterday to menards and bought some stuff so today I'll be constructing something and see what happens. I'm not gonna cover the cat completely because that thing gets super hot. I'll make sure it is vented properly.

LOL blades, I would not mind but I think thats too much work. I'll be installing an alarm as well with motion sensor in the bottom.

 

Have a muffler shop tack a small weld on each bolt and later in the future just grind off the weld to access it again.

 

The cat was cut off.

 

Apparently it is quicker and easier to cut them off with a reciprocating saw.

 

Of course it is. It sucks cuz now I'm worried its going to happen again. I don't feel like popping $500.00 bucks for a deductible every single time some jack wants to steal the cat. My honda dealer is getting seven and 10 a week. One lady came in 3 times and she traded in the element and got a honda accord. I love my SC and I hope it does not have to come to this conclusion.........

 

I hear ya, I was looking at how easy it is to get under my CRV and take the cat but I hope it does not happen.

 

BigZeke, my picture here is and installed CatClamp on an Element. I think this could help solve your problem. The wire cables not only encase the converter but also attach it to your vehicles frame.

 

that sucks man. lowering it might help a little. might buy you some time.

i work for honda and throughout the years we've had tons of catalytic-converters jacked from our CR-V's and Elements.

 

Sawzall will cut right thru that. OP you need to place a thick plate to cover it like you sayed.

 

but it still buys time. it hard to prevent theft but its all about buying yourself time for someone to see or hear whats going on.

a sawzall grinding through metal would be extremely loud in the middle of the night no matter where you live.

 

i know it's time consuming, but why not just run a test pipe? then put a cat in every four years

 

never heard of that kind of theft before...im sorry for your loss.

 

Just tie up a rabid pit bull under your car when you park and problem solved.

 

Use to do it when I was younger all the time. And no I don't still do it so don't go of on me guys.

Sawzall is quick and easy

 

find a fabricating shop around you and have them clean the under coat around the area and weld a thick plate around it with it open on both ends. it doesnt really matter how long you make the cover, they can always just cut father down to where the cover ends and then cut it there. sux but their are too many people trying to make a quick buck off someone elses hard earned stuff. need a driveway that way you can hear it and them shoot them from the window.

 

do you garage it?

I would just mount some pieces of steel tube across the cat so that they cannot remove it from the vehicle even when cutting it.

 

if they have a sawzall tit will just slow them down. if they want it they will get it. if it was garaged it prolly wouldnt have been stolen. how much are cats worth? i have 2 that i saved cause i know they are worth something.

 

60 here in RI