Swapping the stock CAT for aftermarket?

It's lots of money to buy a new OE cat, but you might get much less selling it to a recycler. I usually get $25-75 for an OE cat vs $5-10 for a cheap AM cat. The Prius cat may be worth more just because it has to be better (ie more rare metals) in order to keep emissions down when the engine only runs part time. Last time I checked the government frowned on anyone selling (or buying) a used cat. If you yank all the usable parts to sell you could get more $$ if you can find buyers but the rest of the hulk won't get anything much from a junkyard.

 

Yes, if you part the car you could get more money for it. It is more work though.

If you sell the whole car you don't normally make much money for fixing things that are wrong with it, unless you can do it very cheaply.

 

Well, it would all be true if you lived in your stated location.

Since you now live in an undisclosed place, it is harder to judge. I tend to feel that badly about those trying to use a straight pipe. Aftermarket cats are illegal in CA, NY, and ME, but at least try to preserve air quality.

 

Sometimes when you sit in the splash zone, you get some Internet on you. Shake it off.

 

@mr_guy_mann

Please sell me every OEM Toyota GD3 and EA6 Gen 2 Prius converter you can get your hands on. I'll even do $100 each. I may be able to go slightly higher if really needed....

 

No, he's talking about cat eliminators aka straight pipes. You would normally use an O2 eliminator in lieu of a O2 sensor too, to keep the ECM happy.

 

Just move to the UK!
You can use a cat that is a great deal cheaper and when it has it's MOT test, they don't test the emissions on hybrid cars anyway.

 

In lots of places in the USA there aren't any smog tests whatsoever. Here in Colorado there are no emissions tests unless you live in the Denver area.

Sadly, because of that there are a lot of people who delete their catalytic converters.

 

You're all welcome . . . . . Apart from that guy with the funny hair

 

The non-OEM version installed in my 2nd Gen UK Prius via my insurance company was made by a reputable EU dealer called “Klarius”.

I did visit their web page at the time and was very impressed with what I saw.

My Klarius Catalytic Converter will soon be 2 years old fitted - my MPG has never been better, and NO error codes or emission anomalies.

In fact “The Spaceship” just sailed through its MOT this month - the only failures were both headlight cluster units (badly yellowed, and one had water ingress). Both gladly replaced. Hybrid check was okay, no mechanical failures. 125k so far - daily 34 mile round trip commuter.


iPhone 6s +

 

Emissions on Hybrid cars ARE tested in the UK. The only advantage we have is that, at this time, our DMV equivalent isn’t anal about insisting on replacement OEM cats only on all hybrids.

Non-OEMs work just fine - indeed, they’re the equivalent of the much more modern cats now installed in the latest vehicles (as OEM).
Hence, nobody’s stealing cats out of newer vehicles.


iPhone 6s +

 

As a theft deterrence measure, what if you swapped oem for aftermarket, and store the oem at home (assuming you live in a state that allows aftermarket cats)? Curious if that could work as a workaround? It would be a hassle but you could swap it back once you live in a “safer” area for these cars?

 

Just swapped mine out for one off Amazon for $125. Direct fit manifold end but the pipe size was different it had a 2 inch od so they used a bushing to mate to the cars 1 5/8 od and welded it in. Was quick and easy.
Cars runs fine no codes. I see no difference. $100 for install.

Selling my OEM cat on Ebay its at $1000 right now. Lots of bidders probably go $1300.

Painted my new cheapo cat with VHT orange header paint that has stayed on it has not burned off yet. Im hoping the idiots notice the paint and the bushing which is welded on the end right before the resonator right where they usually cut the pipe and realize its not an OEM cat and not tear my car up.

I had preemptively bought a new donut gasket at the dealer in case mine was toast but mine was fine so were the bolts so everything was re-used. The donut is $86 at the dealer. I returned it.
The donut that came with the cat was a joke.

But all in all really easy.

 

Emissions aren't usually visible.

 

Sure they are car will throw a code if emissions are not met.

 

Oh, a wise guy, eh? (should be spoken with Moe's voice....)

 

No they are not.: Emissions testing - GOV.UK