Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft In The UK
Product Options For
Catalytic Converter Theft Protection
The first thing to realize when considering a product to physically protect your catalytic converter is that with enough time and effort, any product you choose can be defeated. These products are deterrents, just like door locks, requiring the thief to invest more time and effort. The biggest advantage of using these products is the heightened probability that the thief does not even try and just moves on to an easier target. If that does not happen, it is just a question of how badly they want the converter and how long your deterrent can hold up.
Below is a generic discussion of your product choices and a brief discussion of their characteristics.
NOTE: The Cateye Alarm System is compatible with all the options listed below. It is the world's only product that goes beyond the physical deterrent. It is extremely loud. It converts the undercarriage of your vehicle into an eco-chamber, intensifying sound levels still more to the point that they have only seconds to defeat the deterrent product.
Discomfort will drive them out.
So loud it makes them sick!!
Shields
This type of product consists of a plate of thin wall metal that is designed to prevent access to the catalytic converter by providing a physical barrier. While it is a legitimate deterrent, note that the thin wall metal construction is exactly like the exhaust pipes - and thus the thief comes equipped with the exact type of cutting tools necessary to efficiently cut it. In addition, by it's very design, it is easily accessible and flat, making it prone to the most powerful cutting tools - rotary cut-off saws.
Wire Cages
This type of product consists of a pair of clamps on either side of the converter that retain a series of cables which are routed around the frame. They tend to be bulky, require significant space (i.e., not compatible with all vehicles), and are prone to rattle noises due to exposed metal cables.
In order to remove the converter, the thief must contend with these cables, cutting them one at a time at the point where they are clamped down. While a legitimate deterrent, once again the thief comes equipped with the type of cutting tool that can efficiently cut through these single cables, all of which are readily accessible since they lay separately along the converter.
The Catstrap
The Catstrap consists of a series of cables of dissimilar metal (including aircraft-grade stainless steel) laying parallel to one another contained within a high-temperature aluminum shell. The thief can not see them, and therefore cannot gauge any progress as the cutting effort progresses. The thief is forced to cut all the cables simultaneously - over an inch and a half of surface area. This creates a mismatch with their cutting blade, which is selected to efficiently cut through thin wall steel (e.g., exhaust pipes). The blade cannot dispose of the cut metal fragments of the cables and subsequently overheats and dulls. Properly installed, the strap must be cut twice, on either side of the converter.
While not impossible to cut through, it will take more than one blade, and drastically increase the time required to gain access to the converter. It's likely this will force the thief to move on, and if the optional CatEye is installed, the noise becomes unbearable to withstand underneath the car. We've sold thousands, with an excellent track record.