Chevrolet Suburban is one of the most popular big SUVs in America. Every car lover knows this vehicle and respects the model. But what if your catalytic converter in this mighty SUV has deteriorated and stopped working? You will obviously need a new one to keep driving the Chevy, but can you sell the old converter? Yes, and we'll tell you how!
Today, we'll tell you everything we know about the prices for scrap cat converters from a Chevy Suburban and the ways to sell your cat to get more money. We'll also tell you why selling your converter to a scrapyard is not the wisest thing you may do. And we'll outline some average prices for your understanding.
Let's get started!
What do you need to know about the Suburban converter?
The Suburban is a legendary SUV that deserves your attention if you love big cars. The name is already about 90 years old, but of course, we'll be talking about the SUVs that have been made within the latest 30 years. All of them were equipped with catalytic converters. But the pattern of the exhaust cleaning system may be different in various generations.
Here are some clarifications:
- all models and generations of the Suburban had big engines, so you may expect to have several converters in the exhaust system;
- pre-cats are placed near exhaust manifolds, they are smaller than main cats but they still can be sold;
- main catalytic converters are located near the muffler and are the size of the muffler, they are sometimes hard to distinguish between;
- main converters and pre-cats both contain some platinum and palladium, and some models have even rhodium inside;
- all precious metals are located in the ceramic honeycomb that is placed inside the converter, this is the most valuable part of the unit.
You need to know that OEM converters are valuable while aftermarket cats are pretty cheap. You can sell an aftermarket converter for $30 in a local scrapyard and finish reading the article right now. Everything that we say further will only be true for OEM converters that contain more precious metals inside and cost more money as scrap parts.
How much should a scrap converter from the Suburban cost?
It depends on the type of cat you have in your hands and on the year and engine of your SUV. Different engines had different types of converters, so some of them will cost more while some will be much less expensive. This basically depends on the amount of each precious metal inside the certain converter.
The price will also depend on the market prices for precious metals, the condition of your catalytic converter, and on some other minor factors.
It's important to remember that not all buyers will offer you a lot of money for the scrap converter from your Chevy Suburban. And this is a very important thing that you should know about.
Who will buy your scrap cat converter from the Chevy SUV?
The Suburban converter can be bought by many companies and individuals. These are car mechanics, exhaust shops, car part stores, scrapyards, eBay buyers, etc. But we recommend only one type of buyer - this is a recycling company. Not a specific one, but any recycling company that will offer you more money for the Suburban converter.
Here's how you can check the prices with different recycling companies:
- Take pictures of your catalytic converter.
- Send those pictures to the companies that buy out cat converters from private sellers.
- Wait a day or two until all the companies send their price offers.
- Choose the companies that pay for shipping and offer the best prices.
- Count up the money and choose the best company you want to work with.
This is the easiest way to get to know the most up-to-date price for your catalytic converter. After that, you may try to sell the scrap cat on eBay and get more money or just sell it to a chosen recycling company. This is the easiest way to get rid of the scrap part and get some decent money for it.
Final words
Even though you will get some money for the old converter, be careful. You should buy the replacement catalytic converter because nearly all states in the US require this. Your vehicle must be equipped with the cat converter and must fit in the fog test criteria. If the vehicle fails to pass the fog test, it will be banned from public roads and you may also have to pay a fine.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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