What's up with catalytic converter pricing?

General Discussion
1

Summit racing sells a Prius cat for $2500, and a Corolla cat for $600. What is it about the Prius that its cat costs nearly 5X the Corolla’s?

2

More precious metals and being CARB certified, The CARB cat for a 2010 Corolla is about $1,700 compared to $600-$700 for one otherwise.

3

Good point about CARB effect on pricing. I didn’t realize the $600 Corolla cat wasn’t CARB. But even comparing the CARB versions of both, $1700 for the Corolla vs $2500 for the Prius is still confusing. You’d think the Prius if anything would require less of the metals, b/c the Prius gasoline engine isn’t running all time like the Corolla’s. And when the Prius gasoline engine does run, it tends to be running at the optimal rpm. Again suggesting the metal content for the Prius should be less, not more.

4

The Prius requires more because it isn’t running all the time, has to meet same emissions specs with intermittent cool down periods. More difficult to do = need more cat.

4 Likes
5

Edit: My mistake, the ICE does shut down at times.

A regualar Prius is a hybrid not a plug in hybrid electric.

Prius cats have higher levels of precious metals so are stolen more often. So there is strong demand for new ones and limited supply… Econ 101, that makes replacement Cali cats expensive

2 Likes
6

PZEV cats cost considerably more, George

Meth heads get way more money for a Prius cat, that’s why they’re targeted

1 Like
7

Actually it is running less than a regular car. As soon as I let off the gas on my MKZ hybrid (same basic design) the engine shuts off. So if I’m coasting or driving at a light throttle with battery available or braking as I come to a stop the engine is not running. This is in addition to the normal stop/start of the engine that occurs while waiting at a stop light.

I can drive to work (very slight downhill for 7 miles) and have the engine off easily half the time. Coming home it’s on maybe 3/4 of the time. Any driving over 47 mph has the engine running 100% of the time.

8

I had a reg 2013 Prius. Gas motor did shutoff at stoplights. Who said it never shutoff is wrong.

9

My '03 Prius ICE shuts down any time it’s not needed. I actually drive it to minimize ICE time, although having it off while moving obviously requires downgrades or parking lot speeds. It’s all in how much you work the gas pedal.