2001 E350 V10 - catalytic converter stolen~!

[arctictraveller]

The Catstrap is an interesting idea, but it only covers one section of the pipe. I suspect most thieves would start at the top of the pipe pulling the blade down, rather than having to push the blade up. Starting at the top would allow them to cut nearly all the way through the pipe before they got to the cables. You would still have your cat, but it would never the less require a trip to the muffler shop. I think it was Boywonder who bought a length of stainless cable and clamped rows of it over the pipe and converter on all sides, the same idea but better in my opinion. I do like the fact that the Catstrap includes a hardened steel strip under the cables and that gives me an idea. One could easily spot weld lengths of old band saw blade to the pipe that would be impossible to cut through. The cost would be minimal, that alone would stop most thieves, and if used in combination with some stainless cable and clamps, removal would be nearly impossible. Granted, a battery powered abrasive saw could zip right through, but that would be super noisy and would take much longer than a saw cutting unprotected pipe.

[mikracer]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

The Catstrap is an interesting idea, but it only covers one section of the pipe. I suspect most thieves would start at the top of the pipe pulling the blade down, rather than having to push the blade up. Starting at the top would allow them to cut nearly all the way through the pipe before they got to the cables. You would still have your cat, but it would never the less require a trip to the muffler shop. I think it was Boywonder who bought a length of stainless cable and clamped rows of it over the pipe and converter on all sides, the same idea but better in my opinion. I do like the fact that the Catstrap includes a hardened steel strip under the cables and that gives me an idea. One could easily spot weld lengths of old band saw blade to the pipe that would be impossible to cut through. The cost would be minimal, that alone would stop most thieves, and if used in combination with some stainless cable and clamps, removal would be nearly impossible. Granted, a battery powered abrasive saw could zip right through, but that would be super noisy and would take much longer than a saw cutting unprotected pipe.

Why is a bandsaw blade impossible to cut through? The type of metal it is?

[IanF]

Originally Posted by mikracer

Why is a bandsaw blade impossible to cut through? The type of metal it is?

They are really hard metal, I think?

From what I gather, the easiest solution is to simply make you cat harder to get to, which is why most of the covers exist. No method will be infallible it thief really wants it. The goal is to make it harder so they don't even try and move onto an easier target.

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by mikracer

Why is a bandsaw blade impossible to cut through? The type of metal it is?

They are not impossible to cut, just very difficult. They are made from hardened steel, similar to the sawblades or hacksaws thieves use to cut the soft metal exhaust pipe. They are classified as about 69 Rockwell hardness, whereas most hacksaw blades are a bit softer

[JWA]

With any "system" of deterrence there is none 100% effective stopping highly motivated thieves. In order to better gauge one's own opinion of something like the CatStrap watching a few of their own videos along with what can be found on YouTube might prove interesting.

Cost of deterrence is a minimal concern IF the end result is discouraging the thieves. For myself I'm much more prone to buy something "off the shelf" instead of DIY concocting something that might work---or might not, we'd never know until/unless an attempt is made. I haven't seen a single idea presented on YouTube that doesn't have some vulnerability so it then comes down to which one I believe will be the best protection.

I further believe this CatStrap gizmo is one great way to inconvenience the thieves---I'm sure there are others equally to that task as well.

The CatsEye under-car motion alarm by itself would be quite the deterrent if it were the only degree of protection installed. Because most cat thefts are late at night the loud siren alert would maybe be enough to discourage most thieves----or so I think.

As I've already said about initial cost its a super low consideration IF the purchased parts stop catalytic converter theft. On my 2005 E-350 with TWO of those f'ing things spending up to $600 to save $2K plus downtime it seems a fair cost of prevention.