Stolen CAT

I think New York emissions is as strict as California so you may need CARB approved cats. If that's the case only factory and Magnaflow will legally pass inspections. They are currently backorder for months and really expensive. My 3rd gen was stolen last month as well. I tried an aftermarket from ebay just to get my car running until OEM's become available. As for using aftermarkets you will get a code for inefficient cat. I've read so called EPA approve cats from Canada on ebay are better at not throwing any codes.

 

At only $130 and a 5 year warranty a cheap aftermarket cat is better than you think: Catalytic Converter For 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Toyota Prius 1.5L EPA OBD2 | eBay

And despite many mechanic's flawed predictions, I've yet to read about one on here that failed after a short lifespan and they aren't very hard to install. What's more testing on here showed similar exhaust cleaning ability as OEM at lower RPM, so spending $600 instead of $130 doesn't make sense.

As for New York regulations, we've only seen people with problems on here in California failing smog check based on visual inspection to confirm OEM and I don't think they have that requirement in New York or we would of heard about it. You might however find sellers that aren't allowed to ship to New York though.

 

Assuming your 2010 prius is New York registered it would need a CAT that fit 3rd gen 2010 -2015, and is CARB compliant. After a google search, New York adopted emission standards of California. On Ebay, you noticed most after markets cats are not legal for use in CA, NY, etc....there's a reason why. You can still buy them, but the disclaimer is there.

When the time comes, if you know a place who can "pass" your OEM visual inspection, try finding a good quality aftermarket cat that can get you by. If I would have to choose an aftermarket cat all over again, I would get a better quality, efficient enough to not throw codes. Catalytic Converter 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Toyota Prius 1.8L | eBay

You wouldn't have to worry about all of this if you have theft coverage insurance.

 

Not legal in New York is different than passing inspection in New York... I've yet to read on here of someone in New York not passing smog check due to aftermarket cat. That only happens in California.

 

I thought they love Gen2 CAT, not Gen3 CAT and Prius C CAT.

 

It won't take a year for you to throw a p0420 code. Only takes about a month. You have to market cat from Canada will last you about 3 weeks at best

 

Of the 1/2 dozen aftermarket cats I've installed in past couple years only one has thrown a P0420 and that car had a bad engine and was totaled in a roll over a week after I installed the cat. As in everyone still driving their Prius that I've put a cheap $130 cat on has had no signs of P0420 anymore.

 

If it's any comfort, the Prius is not the only car that is victimized by cat thieves.


Convert that pig over to electric - & their problem's solved!

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And recently.....some really smart thieves tried to steal a cat from a car where the owner was sleeping in it. She woke up and backed up and killed the guy under the car...2 others have been arrested. To bad there is no tic tok or $hitgram video of that.....

 

Please don't kid yourself. 5 years warranty from whom? some random ebay / craiglist / facebook market place dude? those no brand ~$100 cats have no warranty and no 'Epa approval / certification' other than BS info written on the wall.. they rarely last more then few thousands miles but it's perfect temporary solution to get a car back on the road quick.