My Catalytic Converter was Stolen...
 

My catalytic converter was stolen off of my 97 Chevy Lumina LS Sedan tonight...I will need to get it into a shop early Monday to get a new one put on.

I have never had this done to a car before. I googled the part and came up with this:

http://www.partstrain.com/store/deta...9-5aa3be85142b

Looks like the part is around 170 to 200 bucks...how much should I expect to pay in labor? How many labor hours is reasonable for a shop to charge?

Thanks in advance for info!

Resonator too?

What state? Mo can be REAL picky about pinhole defects in exhaust train, so it's best to go with a credentialed welder who is also certified for inspections.

Probably expect 2x parts if you provide them, ~1.5x parts if you buy from installer. Either way, ~600 convertor only to ~800 convertor and resonator.

Not sure about the resonator (not even sure what a resonator is)...I would probably say so, since the car is ****ing louder than a souped up hot rod at the moment, and you can smell the fumes pretty quick.

I have a pickup they can steal too. No questions ask.

The resonator is in line with the converter, usually right behind it. It's just a hollow chamber that is placed along the exhaust train to 'tune' the exhaust note for the particular car 'type.' ie, throaty, sporty, quiet, etc. It's not a necessary exhaust component, but its absence has to be accounted for, either by a replacement or another section of exhaust tubing.

The car's present loudness has nothing to do with the resonator. You exhaust is exiting before the resonator or the muffler where they cut the converter out.

I apologize but could someone clear up why in the **** someone would steal a catalytic converter?

Platinum in the converter. Possibly other precious metals. Stolen for scrap value. Most likely to buy some more dope

I'm no mechanic, so I don't know the difficulty of removing one, but it seems like there would be an easier way to get quick cash.

Hacksaw and a few minutes seclusion. Or if you're a meth head with gumption, cordless recip and a few seconds great seclusion.

It's welded into the exhaust train. Basically a pipe on either side. Exhaust runs through materials inside converter and the materials catalyze harmful effluents, removing them from, or inerting them in, the exhaust gasses.

http://www.nationwide.com/catalytic-converter-theft.jsp

http://www.napervilleautomotivesolut...naperville.jpg

How much could the scrap be worth (in case my current job doesn't pan out)

Just like a muffler. Only located up close to the engine whereas the muffler is located further back. Either bolted on or welded. With rusted or hard to loosen bolts a hack saw or saws all is most likely used.

I'm surprised when you hear of a car instead of an SUV or truck with bigger tires and more clearance to crawl underneath. Always can use a jack too. In that case at least there's a chance the jack slips and the thief gets their head caved in

Same reasons meth monkeys steal copper out of abandoned houses.

Don't get me started on copper stealing meth monkeys. My buddy bought a house that has a 2 story garage apartment in it. ****ers raided it. To get probably $50 worth of wire destroyed hundreds of dollars in sheet rock and frame. I hope that meth had ebola in it.

Drugs are bad.......

Indeed. Probably not as bad and as sudden as catching a ****er under my car trying to steal a catalytic converter.

I've heard of them stealing the copper out of the scrap yard and trying to bring it back to the same scrap yard to get more money too. Good place for lonely pit bulls. I've heard they like the taste of meth monkeys