Parts Stolen From Under Car!

[CMNTMXR57]

<--- No cats on the GTO and have passed our emissions tests three times now with it. Same before with my Camaro.

O2 simms I don't think are sold anymore. Or they're very hard to come by. Maybe Fleabay. Otherwise, anyone with working knowledge of HPTuners can change the DTC type class code that triggers the MIL due to catalyst low efficiency (usually the code thrown), which is a Type A. They change it to a Type D. You can't remove the code from happening, but changing that type class will not trigger the SES light and generate a failure for any emissions test.

[SSEiMan01]

You can clamp in a pipe easily I'd bet. My car is catless now too, headers came with a delete pipe.

[CMNTMXR57]

Oh, and for the record, I am not advocating people get under their cars and have the cats taken out and run straight pipe. They're there for a reason and part of the operational system(s) of the car. However, in this situation, a cheap, simple fix for now.

You will find many LSx people, with big power don't run cats. So it's fairly common. But again, don't follow my lead. That is the blind following the blind. :p

[1oldman]

Cat converters are a federal requirement in the US, and any exhaust shop that straight pipes can be fined. Same way you could get fined if caught without it. Best bet may be to grab clamps and a section of pipe, and to take matters in to your own hands, at least until you can get it fixed right.

IIRC, could be incorrect, but if the car is 24+ years old, no cat needed. - BC

[dangrus4060]

Unfortunately . . I only have liability insurance so it won't be covered . . But I still did make a police report on it.

Get "Comprehensive Coverage" (damage other than collision) on your policy ASAP!!! It is one of the cheapest parts of your insurance....CHEAP!!! and it covers most everything that could possibly happen to your car...Window breakage, road debris damage... (YES! I had something fly thru the grill and busted a tiny hole in the AC condenser.... COVERED!! over $500 to repair), mirrors knocked off, whatever kinds of vandalism... all except Collision (because that would be your fault)... and probably at less than the cost of getting a pipe welded in... call your agent and find out!

[GotBonneBWitMe]

Cool. I've heard of it before, but never took it upon myself to actually find out what it was.

I will definitely look in to it ASAP.

Thanks!

[RJolly87]

May be a good idea to check collision too, and don't be afraid to shop around a bit. I have my insurance fully loaded with all the goodies and it only costs $100 more for 6 months. This includes roadside, whis has already paid for itself.

[CMNTMXR57]

The problem is, while that comp does cover that stuff, is it worth making a claim on it, say if your deeductible is $500 and the actual total cost of replacement is $600?

I don't think that there is a right or wrong answer, more of what works better for you. I'd rather eat the $600 out of my pocket if I'm going to have to pay $500 anyway (on the deductible), not claim it on my insurance, and then not run the risk of the underwriting department "reassesing" my premiums. It would be different if it were a $1,500 repair bill though.

[00Beast]

Usually comprehensive deductibles are lower, especially glass. Lots of people have $0 on glass.

[CMNTMXR57]

Possibly. Just stating that if I have a deductible, and my total cost is nearly the same, I'd rather take the hit once out of pocket than involving insurance. I'm all for using insurance when necessary (Clay's thread), but there are sometimes I shy away from it.

[SSEi95]

I highly suggest you replace the cat, and not weld a straight pipe. The police have and will look for a cat if they feel something is wrong with the exhaust. I have personally been inspected by a cop on my old '95 for this very thing. Luckily due to the massive exhaust pipe I have and the low visibility nothing came of it. Also now everyone on here knows and any one of them could report you for a reward for not having a Cat installed if you were to straight pipe it.

As much as it sucks, your best bet (IMO) is to replace it with a high flow universal fit for your car (magnaflow 99306HM) from Ebay and like mentioned above, just clamp it in for now, although welding it in at a shop shouldn't be very much either.

Side note, there was a rash of these theft around Minneapolis a few years ago but that has seemed to go away. Mostly trucks and suv's in public ramps were being hit. My truck has 2 expensive ones, but they are tucked way up and aren't that easily accessible... just ask the exhaust shop that had to replace mine when they failed...

[CMNTMXR57]

That's because you're in Wyoming and the PD has little to do. Here... No cop is getting on their hands and knees to look under your car, especially IN Chicago (probably get lost in a pothole trying to anyway...). You've got kids that can't even get to school safely without getting shot, massive gang, drug and other issues. There are bigger problems CPD has to worry about than whether or not some rogue individual isn't running a converter.

I've never been questioned once at the emissions test facility, which is where they WOULD check, in the 10 - 15 years I've been running without them (between the Camaro and the GTO).

[SSEi95]

haha... I need to update that. This was in MN a few years back. I'm back in MN again now too.

And I somewhat agree, most cops won't bend over to look. But the car will be louder and if they are looking to find something on you, it's an easy one to get. Also, you can be reported by someone which will lead them to check as well.

[CMNTMXR57]

Whose gonna know other than us. And I for one, don't care.

[GotBonneBWitMe]

Here... No cop is getting on their hands and knees to look under your car, especially IN Chicago (probably get lost in a pothole trying to anyway...).

LOL at pothole joke. And I don't care if I'm reported. Even though I don't think anyone will and atleast hope not, lol. The car is gone this weekend. I've BEEN planning to sell it this weekend. This just threw a monkey wrench in the plans since I have to pay to have it fixed before sell now . . Or lose even more money on it. The next owner is aware what happened . . And what will happen to the exhaust. He still wants it and we're ok.

Been wanting a Grand Prix for the longest and my opportunity to own one has come up. I'll definitely need full coverage or similar for this one. More of a hot commodity around my neighborhood.

[CMNTMXR57]

Rahminator has a special pothole task force to address this, you should be safe from them now.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you sell it for?

[GotBonneBWitMe]

1500. For the Green Bonneville that you see below has been sold. This cat chop happened to my winter car . . A Grand Am.

The Bonneville had a bad cat. Owner before me had a different exhaust on it. Had a cracked windshield. Front struts needed replacement. AL7s had been taken out. New coupler needed. And a couple other small issues I didn't feel like bothering with. So I sold it. My winter beater Grand Am is going for 800. It literally has been a beater so that'll be ok for me.

[CMNTMXR57]

Oh crap, maybe I missed it. I thought this was your Bonnie all along. DOH!

[GotBonneBWitMe]

Nah . . I never posted that I sold it. I was so ready to vent out I didn't even include that detail. I'm sure everyone else probably thinks the same haha.

[nos4blood70]

Yeah, not a single human being cares about cars in Chicago. If you venture deeper into the city on the northwest side in certain areas or the south side you'd be surprised at what is still rolling around on the streets. Chicago cops don't care. They need to be having a really bad day and THEN you have to kick their shins before they even think about running your plate.