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Prius owners with Catalytic Converter protector! Help other Prius Owners find the right protector.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Kaptainkid1, Jan 25, 2021.

  1. khp

    khp Member

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    I was thinking about you testing for excessive heat because of lack of airflow and it got me thinking. I have a thermopro tp20 for my BBQ grill. It has two temp probes that pull into transmitter and you them read the temps on a receiver. I watch my grill and meat temps from the house. I am going to use this to check temps behind engine and around the cats before and after the install of my protective guard covering the cats. It would be interesting to see the temp change if any. This isn't the best time of year to test this because its cool now. I have a filr ir camera but I think the the Thermopro will work better. Test while driving around town.
     
  2. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    This is the advertisement that I got while reading this thread.....
    https://www.grainger.com/product/2RPC4
    Electric Pipe Cutter for Pipe 2-1/2 in to 8 in, 22 1/2 in Overall Length, Power Drive Required to Op
    RIDGID



    Uh.....
    Yeah.
    I guess it could have been worse.
    There are hand-held units that make zero noise....
     
  3. fleafrier1

    fleafrier1 Junior Member

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    I’m pretty sure the hand held one is what was used on mine
     
  4. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    You have to know your enemy.... ;)
     
  5. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    That reminded me that the O2 sensors also give temperature before and after the cat. The probes would be great to check other areas though.


    iPhone ?
     
  6. khp

    khp Member

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    This is what I did to my daughters Gen II. I made a cover that covered the bottom of the exhaust manifold that connects to the first cat. Also welded some wheel locking nuts to the flange bolts. So using a ratchet, extension, and 14 mm socket won't work to remove the bolts. The cover should discourage cutting the pipe after the flange like they did the first time. Then I welded two rods between the front flange and first cat, two rods between the two cats, two rods between the last cat and resonator. Then I made a cover out of 16 gauge sheet metal I had in my shop. I cut some vent slots in the cover to help dissipate heat from the cats and may cut in some more.

    I am going to do some temperature testing on this car with all this protection on it. I do have some concerns about these cat shields holding excessive heat in the cat area. I will test my gen II with no covers or cat plate and compare to the one with a cat cover. I bought a CCM cover for my gen II but have not installed it yet. I think all this should slow any cat thieves down a bit.
    upload_2021-2-5_20-5-12.png
    upload_2021-2-5_20-6-17.png
    upload_2021-2-5_20-6-56.png
    upload_2021-2-5_20-7-41.png
     
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  7. khp

    khp Member

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    upload_2021-2-5_20-55-28.png
    Cover over exhaust manifold flange. Open on top.
     
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  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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  9. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    I took my Prius last year to a California Star Smog Center and the technician saw my Prius has a grate mounted under the car as protection. He was a little annoyed but he did pass my Prius for approval. He said during visuals inspection he was able to read the California compliant stamp but would have been a violation. Also my grate is screwed on so it can be taken off and put back no problem. 20191215_133312.jpg 20191215_133322.jpg 20181212_145756.jpg

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
    #29 Kaptainkid1, Feb 13, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2021
    Georgina Rudkus likes this.
  10. khp

    khp Member

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    If I had to do it again I would use expanded metal. That and weld rod at the cut points and protect the front flange area. Heat dissipation would be better in the summer. I did some temp testing while driving around (air temp outside was only about 60 deg) . The only time the temp climbed up over 100 deg at the front cat area is when I drove a few miles down the the freeway and stopped at a light at the exit ramp. I cut some extra vent holes in the rear of my cover. Driving around town stop and go didn't rally climb that much. If there is a little air flow the temp stayed way down. Those heat shields are very important.
     
  11. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Hope you don't 'have to' do it again....
     
  12. fleafrier1

    fleafrier1 Junior Member

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    Kind of a bump on this thread. I finally put some holes in the small shield I made to get in the way of my front flange bolts. I was able to use a punch for all of the ones above the bottom row which saved some time. I'm lucky I have access to equipment that can do that. But I think I agree with you that the expanded metal seems like a good solution. For a reasonably skilled DIY owner it's probably as good a guard as an aluminum cat shield.

    IMG_8541.JPG
     
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  13. rep308

    rep308 Junior Member

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    Miller Cat guard ($180) being installed for $150 next week
     
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  14. rep308

    rep308 Junior Member

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    The local shop only charged me $50 to install, this is a no brainer. They can get the cat even with this on, but I'm hoping they will just skip me and find another Prius
     
  15. rm04

    rm04 Member

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    I just had a Miller Cat Shield installed with the upgraded hardware. To me it makes the most sense because as far as I know the other major brand uses rivets that are a pain to remove while the Miller uses security screws that come with a special bit so the plate can be easily removed and reattached

    As far as I know Id go with the Miller with the upgraded hardware