Time to cage that converter?

With the horrendous surge in catalytic converter thefts, more and more vehicle owners are considering or installing some type of under-vehicle theft-deterrent cage or alarm system to ward off the highwaymen. The culprits are after the scrap value of the small amounts of precious metals those converters contain, and 4X4 pick-ups and high-riding SUVs are easy and popular targets. Still, some low-slung models like gasoline-electric hybrids are also favoured due to the increased amount of valuable elements that their converters contain, and if it’s not garaged or locked behind an appropriate fence, it can be a target.

Over the last two years, a new accessory industry has spawned in response and grown exponentially: catalytic converter shields.

These shields basically fall into two categories: custom formed and cut metal shields, and cabled ‘cages’. The latter involve two hinged clamps with flanges that can easily be attached around the pipe entry and exit points of the converter. Supplied braided cables are attached to the flanges creating a loose-knit steel shield. On Amazon the prices of both styles range from $140 to $750, with most priced under $200. The formed shields are offered in ‘universal’ fit type or custom-made for specific vehicle makes. They attach to underbody components with either rivets or tamper-proof screws.

If you wonder why you might spend this type of money on an exhaust system that you think might only cost $1,200 to replace, check the prices of the converters for your vehicle and be prepared for a shock. For example, converters for the popular new 5.7L Ram half-tons now run north of $10K with sensors (hurried thieves are seldom considerate enough to unscrew the oxygen sensors and leave them behind, or even unplug them).

Both styles of shields have their pros and cons. The flat universal shields, if they’re too wide, can cover up components you may need to maintain from time to time. For their removal, drilling out a dozen or so rivets is often required. You should avoid spanning too much of an area, which may affect the normal body flex, or interfere with an undercarriage component. Some early purchaser feedback on these kits reported annoying rattles due to imperfect tolerances. Often these noises are cured with an application of a heat-proof sealant.

Some carmakers have moved their converters closer to the engine, providing less clearance for add-on shields. If your make has the converter mounted directly to the exhaust manifold without a pipe to connect them, you’re unlikely to be a theft target. You may however want to clearly label any resonator your auto may have to help less-than-intelligent thieves to know the difference between a resonator and a converter (believe me, my shop has seen examples). Check clearances and remember to confirm wiring harness and other tube or hose locations when drilling through a surface for rivet mounts. When using a cable cage, ensure that the clamp/flanges that are attached to the pipes fit tightly and won’t rattle. When routing the cables, make sure there’s no possibility of contact with sensitive sensors and wiring.

None of these shielding systems are truly theft-proof, but thieves usually prefer vulnerable targets when they’re lying on their backs in a very prone position — especially when they’re doing something very noisy and very illegal.

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