Catstrap Review - Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Protection - Real-World Test
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- Опубликовано: 4 апр 2023
- We tested the Catstrap anti-theft device for protecting your catalytic converter. This cutting performance test was done under real-world conditions underneath a vehicle. Critically, the Catstrap was correctly installed, including the u-channel clamp collars for this test.
As you can see in the video, the Catstrap was impractical to cut in a real world scenario. After 2.5min of cutting, only about 10% of the first cut was completed and the saw blade was dull. To cut the strap, a thief would need multiple spare blades and an immense amount of time and effort.
In summary, the Catstrap performed as it's supposed to and protected the catalytic converter in this video. To learn more, visit www.catstrap.net
We saw a previous test video with the Catstrap improperly installed. The correct installation instructions are viewable here: www.catstrap.net/catstrap-ins.... Regardless of the catalytic converter anti-theft product you decide on, take the time to ensure it is correctly installed, as this is critical to the performance of the product.
Testing was conducted with a 20V Dewalt Reciprocating Sawzall and Diablo Steel Demon Bi-Metal Auto Dismantling Saw Blades. These are top of the line cutting tools as of 2023, in order to give the Catstrap a legitimate test under worst-case conditions. This test was performed on the Catstrap with 2023 design upgrades which contains triple-layers of hardened strip steel. 
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Only problem with this is that an angle grinder will go right through it and from what I have seen they carry a hand sawzall and an angle grinder. They usually run in pairs so they have options.
I have a 2017 Tundra and I welded hardened steel 3/8" tow chain across mine all the way from where the cats connect to the downpipes all the way back to the muffler plus a cat shield. I look at it as a life saver for the thieves, for as long as it prevents them from stealing my cats I won't have to shoot them dead.
Won't it deter?
An angle grinder will get through anything eventually, however, the sawzall is the tool of choice in converter thefts. Handheld angle grinder wheels are too small to cut through a large exhaust pipe when you don't have 360-degree clearance around the pipe. Nothing is foolproof but you can make it so difficult for a thief they simply move on.
Your solution sounds like a solid deterrent! The most important thing is to just make them go away in the first place.
forget that look at the straps you can EASILY just cut off with the sawsall i mean 5 seconds and that silly strip is separated
Okay but what if they went at it from the side and not the bottom?
Thank you for listing the shops on your website that know what they're doing when installing this 👍
Finally!! Someone makes something that WORKS!!
I'm not a professional thief but, looking at this solution, I would just cut through those mild steel exhaust clamps first, let the CatStrap fall away and then cut the catalytic converter out.
The strap has a adhesive strip that after 2hrs driving time fastens to the exhaust pipe and will not fall away if the clamps are cut off.
The scenario would be the sams idea of your using Gorilla Glue to fasten items together..they are not going to be separated again.
The strap has a heat activated adhesive that bonds to the pipe. Thieves would have to first pry the adhesive off.
Nothing is impossible, but after 100k+ installs we have seen virtually zero theft attempts where they cut the exhaust clamps and removed the CatStrap. May sound easy, but ask any mechanic, even with just the exhaust clamps properly tightened during installation, the clamps bend into the pipe. If cut you need a hammer to knock them off.
Given enough time, effort, and assortment of tools anything can be defeated, but you make it so difficult a thief simply moves on. We see very little successful thefts, likely because it makes them go away in the first place.
Mechanic told me the strap melts onto the catalytic converter
What's to keep the thief from just cutting the pipe before the leave?
Unbelievable that was too easy 😮, with just the sawzall at the beginning of the video. Didn't know it was that fast
Dave Ramsey says a car is not an investment and is a depreciating asset
Am I missing something here? Can they just cut from the side or top and go down (you were cutting from the bottom up) and then just remove the collars and clamp to get the catalytic converter?
That's what I was thinking. Just give it a tug and cut above...but then if you look at the position of the clamps seems to be what makes it secure
@@AMindInOverdrive just cut the clamps. It’s a bullshit product. Cut from side or top and cut clamps….EASY
The strap has a adhesive strip that bonds to the exhaust pipe and will not fall away if the clamps are cut off.
@@gerard0l6569 CatStrap has a 99.75%+ success rate in preventing converter theft after 100k+ installations across 10 years... perhaps it sounds easy.
@@TheCatStrap but can't they still cut the pipe out of spite? and leave it
I saw this on the donut episode! Any improvements?
Hi Pablo, yes improvements on both the installation and the design of the Catstrap itself. Notice the clamp collars used in this video-- the folks at Donut Media didn't use these at all for some reason, nor head up the engine for the heat-activated adhesive to bond. The Catstrap design was also upgraded since the donut episode to include triple layers of ultra-hardened strip steel. It destroys the blade before cutting and makes it really difficult to focus the cutting area as seen in video. Doing our best to stay ahead of the power tools used by thieves!
Our local thieves (I say ‘local’ loosely…) use angle grinders.
the main flaws I see here are for one - you can cut above the strap where it isn't protected. An an angle grinder can go right through all of it. A carbide blade would go through, a carbide coated blade could go through as well. I like the flexibility of the system but it seems to have some big flaws.
Hey Mike, appreciate your comments. The blade used in this video is a Diablo carbide blade for auto dismantling applications. If the top of the pipe is accessible, a thief could make a slit in the pipe but cannot complete the cut or remove the converter without cutting the strap.
@@catstraphq633 ... and you're still left needing a new pipe. Is that the point, they can cut the pipe but not take the converter? This is the best device I've seen, but if a thief is pissed off, he's gonna cut that pipe.
@@MarkWood-ic7km It's true a thief could make a slit in the pipe. The repair would likely be a simple weld. My honest thought-- we just don't see this occur in the real world. For whatever reason, if there's a cutting attempt we almost universally see them attempt to cut through the strap immediately, as opposed to starting on the opposite side of the pipe.
@@catstraphq633 I will be getting one for my '07 Element to go with an vibration alarm. And probably paint my cat converter a nice pink and lime green while I'm at it. Thank you.
They don't cut from the bottom up. They cut from the top down.
On vehicles where there is enough clearance (e.g., Ford E-450 chassis) we make the Max Protect Kit which includes two straps for both the top and the bottom of the pipe. On most cars there isn't enough clearance to position the saw on the top of the pipe to cut down.
@@TheCatStrapwhat about a 2015 Prius?
@@johnhuff1800 yes the standard 7ft CatStrap is the right fit for the Prius.
@@TheCatStrap Is A Sonnata ok for just the bottom strip ?
Learn more at www.catstrap.net
Ummm duh derp why can't the person cut from the top down? Umm da ba ti derp???? I mean this is a joke right?lmao???????
This is about as effective as a wall from anyone south of the border ……. I could cut through a cheap exhaust clamp with a regular hacksaw in less than a minute.
Now, with a battery operated saws all ??? ….. it’ll take you seven seconds to cut through to clamps and take your catalytic converter
The strap has a heat activated adhesive that bonds to the pipe. Thieves would have to first pry the adhesive off. May sound easy, but ask any mechanic, exhaust clamps properly tightened during installation forces the clamps to bend into the pipe. If cut you still need a hammer to knock them off.
We have seen virtually zero theft attempts where they cut the exhaust clamps and removed the CatStrap.
Given enough time, effort, and assortment of tools anything can be defeated, but you make it so difficult a thief simply moves on. We see very little successful thefts, likely because it makes them go away in the first place.
Send me one. Guarantee it won’t pass a real world test….
Would it deter?
Would you work on it or move to an easier car ?