I can't believe someone stole my catalytic converter! My '87 SE clone was broken down on the interstate for less than 10 hours in broad daylight and before I could get back to it, someone had cut out my converter and taken it. They made two very clean cuts, one on each end of it. They seemed to be very nice and thoughtful theives! I'm glad they didn't try to mess with any locks or break any windows or steal my starter, alternator, stereo, or anything else that I could tell. I do wonder if I'll find anything else missing, though. Stinking bastards! ------------------ Jonathan 1987 Notchie - Reborn with 2.8V6/Getrag I'm not a mechanic but I play one in my garage - me Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely - Lord Acton Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not - Thomas Jefferson The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants - Thomas Jefferson
[This message has been edited by Boostdreamer (edited 02-03-2011).]
IP: Logged
11:08 PM
PFF
System Bot
johnyrottin Member
Posts: 5464 From: Northwest Florida Registered: Oct 2007
Wow, that sucks that happened, glad nothing else was taken or damaged. But honestly, who needs those stupid things anyway, slap a straight pipe back up there and call it a day.
IP: Logged
12:19 AM
craigsfiero2007 Member
Posts: 3979 From: Livermore, ME Registered: Aug 2007
They've been warning us about this at work. Thieves are stealing them out from under pickup trucks in the parking lots.
------------------ RickN White 88GT 5spd (<10K miles) White 85GT (SC3800 Series II w/ AOD) White 99 F250SD 7.3PSD 6spd 1956 Ford 860 Tractor w/ Freeman Loader 20Ft H&H Tilt Bed Trailer (Remember - Gravity is not a tie-down)
Here in PL any junkyard buy any cats, small one is near 100$, big (truck, van) about 150$, this is week money on low job, or nice car radio price, so, bad guys try to make some money on us... (other hand - to bought used one is a little expensive IMO, last months I asked junkyard-friend about Explorers cat, I expected price about sixpack of beer, but answer was "You know, friend is friend, but 150$ couse this is market price on scrapped cat...").
BTW, too bad you weren't closer, I have a complete '87 exhaust (came off a 9,000 mile car). It has been sitting out side the last 6 years, but still in great shape!
IP: Logged
07:48 AM
Formula Owner Member
Posts: 1053 From: Madison, AL Registered: May 2001
BTW, too bad you weren't closer, I have a complete '87 exhaust (came off a 9,000 mile car). It has been sitting out side the last 6 years, but still in great shape!
I don't know if that cat is any good. I bought a similar system from the Fiero Factory after being warned that the cat may not be good because the system had been sitting outside for so long. They were right. It was toast.
IP: Logged
09:20 AM
PFF
System Bot
fierosound Member
Posts: 15144 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
I don't know if that cat is any good. I bought a similar system from the Fiero Factory after being warned that the cat may not be good because the system had been sitting outside for so long. They were right. It was toast.
There shouldn't be any difference storing it inside vs outside, as long as the water and critters can't get in there.
IP: Logged
09:37 AM
Isolde Member
Posts: 2504 From: North Logan, Utah, USA Registered: May 2008
The real question is why stolen cats are bringing more $ than new generic replacements sell for? Summit Racing has them around $90. If a thief can get $150, then he should buy new from Summit and turn a legal $60 profit. Stealing off a low car beside the road is easy, so long as they're prepared and no cop comes along. It looks like they're changing a tire. The actual theft requires a shearing tool much like the jaws of life. But most cars have cats on the passenger side. Often, the thieves will be driving an older service pickup. The name on it will be bogus. It'll look like legit roadside repair.
IP: Logged
10:42 AM
zefferk Member
Posts: 1019 From: Gold Canyon, Arizona Registered: Feb 2010
Some loser here in Utah broke into the school bus yard and cut out all the buses' cats! When they caught him (security footage clearly IDed him) they found a storage unit with hundreds of them not only from the buses, but other vehicles as well. If crooks would just apply them selves in something legal...dumb a**es!
I couldn't get to my cat without raising the car up if I tried and mine is stock height.
Guess you'll be laughing your azz off when it happens to YOU.
I only mentioned it was funny cause I dislike that particular classmate . Not laughing at the OP in any way of course, I'd be pissed. More like bewildered they got under a Fiero...
IP: Logged
12:45 PM
Boni Member
Posts: 114 From: Grodzisk Maz. Poland Registered: Dec 2010
Originally posted by Isolde: The real question is why stolen cats are bringing more $ than new generic replacements sell for? Summit Racing has them around $90. If a thief can get $150, then he should buy new from Summit and turn a legal $60 profit.
IMO 95% "racing" or "sport" or 'fancy' cats or exhaust dont have any platinium or palladium, they are more or less 'simple' exhausts, and thiefs know it. Dont ask me, if its legal or not, and how its possible to pass any legal or technical check (like UK MOT or polish or german state control for elder cars. BTW our fiero was 10yr in Germany, and 5yr in Poland, and still has full scale US lights, not legal here - corners, sides, rear - how its possible, after 15 checks? you know, solid, mercedes-like, german tech checks???). And aftermarket universal medim cat, but real platinium-palladium one, noname made in how-cares-where, for 2.0-2.5 engine, costs here about 300$, not like sporty one, 30-80$, this is reason they cut cats on the streets, not break in exhausts shops.
The real question is why stolen cats are bringing more $ than new generic replacements sell for? Summit Racing has them around $90. If a thief can get $150, then he should buy new from Summit and turn a legal $60 profit.
It's called Arbitrage. The practice of taking advantage of a price difference between two or more markets: striking a combination of matching deals that capitalize upon the imbalance, the profit being the difference between the market prices.
I don't know if this market really exists, but in economics it is often possible to buy and re-sell objects for profit, even brand new objects. I need to look into it.
IP: Logged
02:32 PM
Xanth Member
Posts: 6886 From: Massachusetts Registered: May 2006
They usually go after pickups, SUVs, and service trucks around here. They love car lots where they can get a dozen at a time. It is unusual they got under a Fiero. Like mentioned they knew it wouldnt attract attention on the side of the road. They just carry a battery sawzall or cutoff wheel and takes 30 seconds. If you dont get inspections, just put a piece of pipe in and forget the converter.
IP: Logged
03:13 PM
DLCLK87GT Member
Posts: 2694 From: South Jersey, USA Registered: Feb 2009
The real question is why stolen cats are bringing more $ than new generic replacements sell for? Summit Racing has them around $90. If a thief can get $150, then he should buy new from Summit and turn a legal $60 profit. Stealing off a low car beside the road is easy, so long as they're prepared and no cop comes along. It looks like they're changing a tire. The actual theft requires a shearing tool much like the jaws of life. But most cars have cats on the passenger side. Often, the thieves will be driving an older service pickup. The name on it will be bogus. It'll look like legit roadside repair.
IIRC, they're after OEM cat's...they're worth more, presumably because they have more platinum in them. Ever compared a $60 aftermarket(universal) to an oem cat? the aftermarket is tiny in comparison.
IP: Logged
11:03 PM
Ramsespride Member
Posts: 1979 From: Where i am is where i am. Registered: Feb 2010
Why has no one voiced the idea that its a possibility that they went through all the trouble on a busy highway to steal it due to the fact that the Fiero looks like an exotic sports car? think- Exotic= EXPENSIVE. Meaning, Parts fetch a nice price even at scrap and you would think that a higher performance engine would need a better catalyst system to knock down emission levels
IP: Logged
11:29 PM
dmcgreene Member
Posts: 843 From: East Tennessee State University Registered: Jun 2010
We think mine is plugged and we will pull it in the morning to see. There are no smog or other inspections here. Kinda tempting to take it down to the scrap yard and trade for some straight pipe.
Ok this is not rocket science. I can get one out in about 5 minutes with this...
5 Minutes might even be a little long pending on conditions. As for the fiero.... just mind boggling why they would even bother going for a fiero cat when there are many other easier ones in a walmart parking lot.
People will steal anything these days. I hope it wasn't one of those high flow after-market ones.
These bastards must've been desperate!
about Explorers cat, I expected price about sixpack of beer, but answer was "You know, friend is friend, but 150$ couse this is market price on scrapped cat...").
lol
