some junkie stole the catalytic converter from my 93 regal 3.8. looks cut with a blowtorch. shop wants $1k to fix it - obviously. the part costs 80 bucks at autozone.

but there are several issues:

1. tube going to the engine appears to be 2.5" (cant reach so far to measure) while the one to the muffler is 2" (confirmed).

2. the tubes are bent upwards at the point they are cut - probably so that the cat is higher up and protected from the road - looks like this:

muffler __/ (2 feet where cat was) \__/ engine

as such i cant just use normal hardware (tube + "O" brackets & gaskets) because the pipes are not equal size and i also need to be able to bend the tubes.

the missing part of tubing is about 2 feet long.

someone suggested i use flexible tubing between to 2 pipes and get it over with but i dont think there is flex tubing that can take that kind of temperature and also adapt 2" => 2.5".

can i use the blowtorch & flux core solder stuff found at home depot that the HVAC installers use?

all help is appreciated...

found a garage/muffler shop that did the job for 150 in half an hour with their made in china "OEM" parts... i hope this money "helps" the economy (sarcastic)

You're not alone. Here's a link to an article that ran in our local paper this past week:http://www.syracuse.com/ap/stories/index.ssf?/base/national-106/1215366244213680.xml&storylist=topstories

You're not alone. Here's a link to an article that ran in our local paper this past week:http://www.syracuse.com/ap/stories/index.ssf?/base/national-106/1215366244213680.xml&storylist=topstories

yet another perfect example where government regulation helps out the outlaws once again. by forcing us to drive around with precious metals on the cars and not mandating manufacturers at the same to install anti-theft shields or other effective theft deterrent means. i'm sure if you make the car $1k more expensive you can add another $200 protector but it's all about cutting where they shouldn't.

besides i was lucky - my junky 93 car doesn't have full anti-theft insurance. i was told by several ppl that if i got it stolen on a new car I'd be forced to buy the original part - and pay the $500 deductible in the process! then of course the insurance rates also go up because you made a claim. either way honest ppl lose out!

Is lead also a precious metal? I'd be tempted to "offer" lead to thieves.

Did you file a police report? That would probably be a good idea, even if it doesn't get you any monetary return. It shouldn't affect your insurance rates, either. They might find your converter at a local recycler, which won't help you, but could help throttle the problem.

Is lead also a precious metal? I'd be tempted to "offer" lead to thieves.

Did you file a police report? That would probably be a good idea, even if it doesn't get you any monetary return. It shouldn't affect your insurance rates, either. They might find your converter at a local recycler, which won't help you, but could help throttle the problem.

yes i've obviously filed a police report as soon as i realized what was missing from the car and causing that noise.

apparently these cat converters (at least the original ones from the manufacturer) contain platinum, rhodium and lead. i hope the OEM i got installed in place is known to the junkies to be worthless and not worth bothering with again...

the muffler shop guy told me he had another car from my area but the owner had caught them in the act and they fled before taking it - only had to fix the welds for him. this was in broad daylight and they had a van & all the necessary equipment to flame-cut stuff...

i miss the time when they shot the horse thieves.