[d6ba56c039d9]

Besides being (I would guess) slightly more crime-friendly than other places, I'll bet part of the problem is the expense of catalytic converters in CA. They are probably worth a lot more as spares than as raw materials.

It seems to me that CARB forces people to buy OEM parts, or at least some kind of on-a-list part for $$$.

[bitwise-evan]

You are not legally allowed to sell or install used cats in CA: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/aftermarket-catalytic-converters

I wonder if shops will still install used (stolen) units regardless? Or maybe they are just being shipped out of state or broken down for raw materials.

[atatatat]

Any moron with a welder can reinstall, and it'll pass emissions if done correctly.

[kriskrunch]

Didn't stop thieves from stealing my GF's cat in LA. Globalization baby.

[d6ba56c039d9]

C'est la vie. You're not supposed to steal cats either.

The one thing that's fairly hard to get around is the biannual inspection.

In days of yore, a box of donuts could get someone to hot pipe your car. Now, not so much. It was kind of a necessity if you owned a car that wouldn't pass even in absolutely pristine new condition.