Dodge Charger Catalytic Converter Scrap Price Investigation

All modern cars come with catalytic converters from the factory, and your dodge charger isn’t different. However, over the normal life of your vehicle, these important components can run into mechanical issues. When that happens, you’ll have to go for a replacement.

You also may replace your Dodge Charger stock catalytic converters with aftermarket ones (High-Flow Cats) to maximize performance. A high-flow catalytic converter is designed to help a car produce more torque and horsepower while still cutting down harmful emissions. 

A catalytic converter (cat) replacement doesn’t come cheap. When you replace your cat for whatever reason, you can recover some of the money you’ve spent by selling the old one. So, how much can you get?

What Is a Catalytic Converter Anyway?

A catalytic converter is an emissions-control product designed to clean up the harmful exhaust gasses in gasoline-powered vehicles. All vehicles manufactured after 1975 come with catalytic converters. So far, this invention has been amazing. Indeed, most of the cats installed in vehicles today can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by up to 80%. 

There are primarily three types of catalytic converters namely oxidation catalyst (OC), three-way catalyst (TWC), and three-way catalyst and oxidation catalyst (TWC-OC). Three-way cats are designed to clean up three types of engine emissions – nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons. These cats are made of two catalysts:

• Oxidation Catalysts – They comprise palladium and platinum metals. Whenever unburned fuel and carbon monoxide flow through the oxidation catalysts, they are converted into carbon dioxide and water.  
• Reduction Catalysts – Comprise palladium and rhodium metals. Whenever the fumes containing nitrogen oxide hit these catalysts, the elements are converted into nitrogen and oxygen. The Reduction Catalysts help reduce smog released by the vehicle. 

TWC is the most common type on most modern Dodge Chargers. TWC-OC offers a combination of OC and TWC to provide more optimum performance. 

Dodge Charger Catalytic Converter: Location and Numbers

Different Dodge Charger models have different catalytic converter locations depending on the engine size and manufacture year. However, they are easy to locate. The cat itself is part of the vehicle’s exhaust system. It's found between the exhaust manifold and the tailpipe. 

Some people confuse the catalytic converter with the muffler (vehicle’s noise reducer). The muffler should be bigger and it’s not so heavy.

Most cars have just one catalytic converter. Vehicles with two catalytic converters have dual exhaust systems. Your Dodge Charger may come with one or two converters, again depending on the model year. For example, a 2006 Dodge Charger leaves the factory with two V6 or V8 cats. 

Dodge Charger Catalytic Converter Scrap Price

The Dodge Charger catalytic converter scrap prices can go up to $550. Averagely, you can expect to trade your cat for around $225. Your Charger’s cat scrap price will vary depending on the engine size, model year, and the cat condition. However, as a rule, cats aren’t cheap. They are in demand in the metal recycling industry for the precious metals they contain. 

The three primary metals contributing to the chemical reaction that cleans exhaust gases are Platinum, Rhodium, and Palladium. Other precious metals inside a cat are Ceramic or Metal Foil, and the Metal Shield (outside covering). The covering is usually available as regular 303/304 stainless steel. Sometimes it can also be magnetic stainless steel. 

Determining the True Dodge Charger Cat Scrap Price

As mentioned, the price varies depending on several factors, including the model year and the size of your vehicle engine. Another factor that affects the scrap price of cats is the market cost of the precious metals. Let’s put this into perspective.

Assume that the inside of your cat’s honeycomb is perfectly fine and nothing is missing so that the scrap metal dealer you sell your cat to can recover all the precious metals. Suppose he recovers 4 grams of platinum from the honeycomb, and as of today, the price of platinum per gram is $33. (The market is dynamic, and the price will fluctuate from time to time). Thus, when you multiply this price by 4, you get $132 for platinum. 

Similarly, suppose the dealer recovers 4 grams of palladium, and the current price of this metal per gram is $75. Multiplying this number by 4, you get $300. The dealer may also recover up to 2 grams of rhodium (the most expensive metal) in your cat. Assuming the price of rhodium per gram today is $547, the dealer gets over $1,000. Now, adding the $132 for platinum, $300 for palladium, and $1000 for rhodium, the dealer gets about $1400.

But, don't think your scrap cat is worth $1400. There are several things to put into account. They include the time and effort taken to recover the precious metals, profit of the scrap dealer, etc. All these things can make your catalytic converter only worth $350 or lower on the open market. It’s hard or even impossible to determine the true scrap value of your Dodge Charger catalytic converter. Different cats buyers and scrap yards buy them at different prices within the range we’ve mentioned above. 

As for these high-value metals, they are expensive. That explains why thieves like stealing cats from cars.

Catalytic Converter Theft Problem

The stealing of catalytic converters has been happening for a long time. However, it has increased over the recent years due to the economic turbulence caused by issues like the pandemic. It’s easy for a thief to extract a cat from your Dodge Charger. The cat is installed on the vehicle by welding. A thief will saw it out in a matter of minutes and leave you with costly damage.

There are car models that thieves target the most depending on value and ease of access. These include Toyota Prius, as its cat contains precious metals in large amounts. A thieve can earn $200 or more per cat from unscrupulous metal recyclers. SUVs and Trucks are also a common target of catalytic converter theft as they are raised considerably high off the ground. That makes it easier for thieves to crawl under and cut the cats out.  

Nevertheless, every vehicle is susceptible. When your cat is stolen, you’re left with a huge bill to pay for the damages. It’s expensive to replace your Dodge Charge catalytic converter because you can spend up to $2500 on parts and labor. Therefore, you must take every possible measure to ensure that you don’t become a victim of cat theft.

Where to Sell Your Dodge Charger Catalytic Converter

The demand for catalytic converters is always on the rise, and you’ll easily find a buyer for your scrap cat. You can sell the component to a local auto shop though you’ll risk getting a low value for it. Many automotive shops lack the resources and knowledge to provide accurate grading and pricing of catalytic converters.   

The best option is to trade your catalytic converter to a scrap yard to earn a good amount. Scrap yards focus on the value of the precious metals they can pull out of the cat to determine the price. But, before you get started, you need to know the best way to go about it. 

How to Sell My Dodge Charger Catalytic Converter

First, you must identify the serial number for your Dodge Charger cat. You can use some steel wool to scrub and uncover the number if it’s difficult to see. Your scrapyard will need this information to give you an accurate quote for the cat.

Today you can even sell scrap cats online, and you don’t have to travel to the scrap yard. Selling online can save you a lot of time. All you need to do is send a photo of your cat with its serial number to RRCats.com. Ensure the images are clear enough, and you can get a quote in one business day!

You can then ship your cat to them if you agree with the quote. The important part of successfully selling a scrap cat is identifying a genuine buyer. We recommend comparing quotes from multiple yards to make an informed decision, especially if selling online. 

Conclusion

Dodge Charger catalytic converter scrap prices can fall anywhere from $80 to $550. The cost varies depending on the engine size, model year, condition of the cat, and the current market price of precious metals inside. These metals include platinum, rhodium, and palladium. Scrap catalytic converters are valuable and in demand in the metal recycling industry. That contributes to the increased cat theft. Cat replacement can cost you up to $2500. Ensure you take good care of your catalytic converter. 

A scrap yard is the best place to sell your old cat. You can conveniently sell your cats online by sending their photos and serial numbers to reputable scrap-cats dealers. Make sure you compare quotes from different buyers to make an informed decision.