WTF - Catalytic Converter Stolen Last Night - Exhaust Shop Recommendations?

[danthemanx07]

Man I am pissed. Hopped in my 4runner this morning, cranked it up only to find my 4runner is now a Harley...

Well, now I need a new cat. Anyone know a good (read: inexpensive) exhaust shop in New Orleans? Also, I am assuming it is illegal to just install a straight pipe? Cats are expensive, and I am in school without a pay check.

Lastly, is it harmful to drive it like this if I need to make it to a shop or something?

Thanks for the help. If anyone offers to sell you a cat caked in red mud, knock em' out and give me a shout to come pick them up.

EDIT: would it be a bad idea to grab a tailpipe extention and some clamps from autozone for a temporary solution? I can fully address this better in August, but I just don't have the time to fool with it right now.

 

[mike84z28]

Marks Muffler, Had the same thing happen to my jeep.

 

[themcfarland]

you can definately get a piece of pipe and clamp it right now, it will likely throw a code or light depending on year of vehicle but it will get you down the road.
It might be a good idea to call Pull a Part or somewhere to see if they have use cats that might fit..

 

[charliepapa]

would it be a bad idea to grab a tailpipe extention and some clamps from autozone for a temporary solution? I can fully address this better in August, but I just don't have the time to fool with it right now.

depends... when does your inspection sticker expire? if it's after august, I'm not sure why not, but I'm not a mechanic. if you're not running one, maybe you have to make adjustments under the hood.

 

[tibodoe]

The pipe and clamps will work fine. Check engine light will probably come on
showing an o2 sensor code. The vehicle should run fine, you will just have trouble getting an inspection sticker.
This should fall under your insurance I would think.

 

[SpeedRacer]

The pipe and clamps will work fine. Check engine light will probably come on
showing an o2 sensor code. The vehicle should run fine, you will just have trouble getting an inspection sticker.
This should fall under your insurance I would think.

Someone like LNSVince could verify for sure, but some cars will adjust the ECM maps with an O2 sensor code. Meaning while it's safe to drive basically performance and fuel mileage may suffer greatly.

 

[mcinfantry]

a 4 runner has the biggest/best converter that pays the most to steal.

 

[03protege]

Man I absolutely abhor removing cast iron exhaust parts, I can't imagine going around and doing it for $20.

Do you have an o2 sensors past the cat? If not then there is a good chance no code will be throw if you go straight pipe. If you do have an o2 sensor post cat then there is a little adapter that you can buy which pulls the tip of the o2 sensor out of the "stream" and with prevent any codes from being tripped.

Your bigger issue is if the car is registered in Orleans and you have to do SMOG testing with your brake sticker.

 

[Lokin4AReason]

i would slap on a straight pipe to get around now until you have a chance to go a cat .....

than go yard hopping ( like junk yards ) and find a replacement ....

 

[Neil09]

Damn I had no idea them things were worth anything.

 

[Lokin4AReason]

45 to 75 a piece depending on make and model they come off of .... from what i know

makes you want to buy a dewalt saw-saw =)

 

[rtr_rtr]

Damn I had no idea them things were worth anything.

They need a small amount of precious metal to function. Mostly platinum iirc

 

[GunRelated]

45 to 75 a piece depending on make and model they come off of .... from what i know

makes you want to buy a dewalt saw-saw =)

They used to go for $120-$200+, now you will be lucky to find someone that will buy them as there are new laws/restrictions that have been put into place to prevent the ease of making a **** ton of $ off selling them. A few years ago when they where selling high people where stealing them left and right. They would hit whole parking lots in the middle of the day.

 

[nola_]

This has happened at Ochsner and Tulane's employee parking lots a couple of times in past few years, usually always in the summer.

 

[danthemanx07]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

My brake tag is good through February, so I have some time, but I don't remember the girl checking the exhaust at all when I got my tag. Is this something new?

Only a few questions I have remaining: am I going to harm the engine by driving with only about 2 feet of exhaust piping? Ans, is it illegal for a shop to weld in a pipe instead of a cat or just becomes an issue when brake tag is due? I do have 2 O2 sensors, one before and one after. I am not too worried about them throwing codes, I am really only concerned about any other damage that I may do to the engine. Not sure what effects a lack of exhaust piping will have.

Thanks again fellas. Hopefully I can get this straightened out today, if at least temporarily.

 

[paddle007]

I do believe if a shop is caught installing a "test tube" in place of a cat converter they can be fined. FWIW the post cat O2 sensor is used for fuel trims. It plays an important roll in the big picture. Personally I would install a pipe if you can't afford a cat. There is an extender availible for the 02 sensor which would prevent codes from being set.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/170997839772?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
Al Gore hates you

 

[danthemanx07]

I do believe if a shop is caught installing a "test tube" in place of a cat converter they can be fined. FWIW the post cat O2 sensor is used for fuel trims. It plays an important roll in the big picture. Personally I would install a pipe if you can't afford a cat. There is an extender availible for the 02 sensor which would prevent codes from being set.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/170997839772?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
Al Gore hates you

I figured a shop may incur some risk. I need to just install a pipe for now. Even if it is only until I can get a $100 cat from ebay. I don't think the o2 spacer will work with my type of sensor. The 4runner has the older flange type. In the end, I would like to just get a cheap cat and run an 02 simulator to keep the finicky 4runner emissions system from throwing codes. BUT, cheap takes time. Need to at least get it back to operable at this point.

 

[03protege]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

My brake tag is good through February, so I have some time, but I don't remember the girl checking the exhaust at all when I got my tag. Is this something new?

Only a few questions I have remaining: am I going to harm the engine by driving with only about 2 feet of exhaust piping? Ans, is it illegal for a shop to weld in a pipe instead of a cat or just becomes an issue when brake tag is due? I do have 2 O2 sensors, one before and one after. I am not too worried about them throwing codes, I am really only concerned about any other damage that I may do to the engine. Not sure what effects a lack of exhaust piping will have.

Thanks again fellas. Hopefully I can get this straightened out today, if at least temporarily.

If you have a sticker filling in that top right box then they checked your exhaust (emissions), or at least said they did.

Your engine will be fine, if you leave the 02 exposed to long it can ruin it, the piece I mentioned earlier is called a "non-fouler" its like $7 at napa.. 02 sensors can be over $100.

 

[KaCajun Boy]

I saw just run straight pipe since that will be your cheapest route. Alot of the older chevys and mud bog trucks run straight pipe and that is enough back pressure so that you don't cause any engine problems. I have a straight pipe and muffler on my ole truck and it's loud but not so bad where you are asking for trouble. I say run straight pipe if you don't have to get the emissions test done and be done with it, only problem is finding a shop to weld it in since it is illegal. Just look for an ole hole in the wall muffler shop or there are 2 that I know of 1 in LaPlace and the other in Reserve you will must likely have to pay cash that's the only thing.

 

[dixiejarhead]

Skid plate.