Infiniti G35 Catalytic Converter Scrap Price - Can You Sell It Now?

Catalytic converter! What is this "ingenious" invention? Why are we shifting our attention to their scrap value? Can one sell an Infiniti G35 catalytic converter scrap? 

Our vehicles emit less toxic exhaust gases thanks to catalytic converters. As the fuel burns in your engine, it produces harmful products like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxides, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxides. Thankfully, catalytic converters significantly minimize the toxicity of exhaust fumes released into the atmosphere. 

They do this with the help of platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The three metals are some of the most valuable and demanded metals globally. Therefore, you can get a good bargain for your worn-out Infiniti G35 cat. If you've got a worn-out Infiniti G35 cat, don't throw it. Hold on to it. The article will cover why it's valuable and how you can sell the scrap. We'll also touch on the price range to avoid falling prey to unscrupulous catalytic converter scrap dealers. 

What's a Catalytic Converter?

It's a metallic box underneath your car. Its primary responsibility is to clean the exhaust fumes released when driving your vehicle. It's not a new invention. It became compulsory in the mid-1970s. 

The catalytic converter uses catalysts to clean exhaust fumes. When you check your worn-out Infiniti G35 cat, you will see a honeycomb-like structure inside the metal box. The honeycomb contains catalysts that dismantle the molecular structure of the Oxides of sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon into less toxic substances as you drive your car. The Infiniti G35 comes with two catalytic converters. One catalytic converter works on the nitrogen oxides, while the other piece works on the hydrocarbons and carbons. 

If you investigate further, you'll discover that the catalysts are precious metals. Most catalytic converters often contain palladium, rhodium, and platinum.  

As the exhaust gases blow over the dense honeycomb, the precious metals reduce and oxidize the toxic gases into less harmless components. As the exhaust fumes move from the engine to the exhaust pipe, the fumes interact with rhodium and platinum. The rhodium and platinum clean the harmful nitrogen oxides by breaking the nitrogen and oxygen atoms if the fumes contain any nitrogen oxides. The nitrogen atoms released come together to form nitrogen gas which is less harmful than nitrogen oxides. 

Sulfur dioxides are very harmful to the environment. They cause issues like sea acidification and acid rain. As the sulfur oxides pass through the catalytic converter, the palladium and platinum oxidize the sulfur oxides. The palladium and platinum also oxidize the unburnt hydrocarbons or carbon monoxide to form less toxic substances. Modern cats also employ oxygen sensors to pump extra oxygen to the exhaust outlet. 

Infiniti G35 Catalytic Converter Scrap Value

These metals are so vital for your car and the environment. Besides their functionality and ability to clean exhaust gases, catalysts are valuable because of the high industrial demand. Let's check the market price and demand for each precious metal.

• Rhodium  

Rhodium trades at approximately $500 per gram or $14,900 per ounce. The high costs are due to the scarcity, high demand, and value attached to rhodium. Like the other precious metal in your catalytic converter, rhodium belongs to the Platinum Group Metals (PGM).

There is a high demand for rhodium in industries like chemical, jewelry, automobile, electrical, etc. Increasing calls for cleaner emissions also resulted in more than 70% gain in rhodium prices over the past three years.

• Platinum

A gram of platinum trades at $30, while an ounce costs about $970. Its market value is significantly lower than that of rhodium. It also belongs to the PGM metals. Regardless of that, it is also rare.

Despite its rarity, its demand in the industrial world has increased. It's a critical metal in many industries. Surprisingly, 20% of everything we use contains some minute amount of platinum. The automobile industry utilizes it to create environmentally friendly exhaust systems.  

• Palladium 

A gram trades at $70, while an ounce goes for $2,270. It's slightly higher than platinum. It's also rarer than platinum. Most of the palladium in the market doesn't come directly from the earth. A remarkable amount of palladium traded in the market comes as a by-product of the nickel and platinum mining process. Approximately 90% of palladium traded goes to the automobile industry.  

How Much Precious Metal Can You Recover?

Infiniti G35 original equipment manufacturer (OEM) catalytic converter has more platinum, palladium, and rhodium than an aftermarket cat. Also, larger-duty engines have more PGM than light-duty engines. Besides, the Infiniti G35 cat is considered one of the top-quality catalytic converters. A new one can cost up to $1300 or even more. 

You can recover a remarkable amount of PGM metals from your catalytic converter. When handled properly, you may recover 80% to 96% of the precious metals from an Infiniti G35 cat scrap. The 80% to 96% recovery represents up to 2 grams of rhodium, 7 grams of palladium, and 3 to 7 grams of platinum. Therefore, you can get profitable returns if you decide to trade your scrap.

You can sell your Infiniti G35 cat scrap to any scrap dealer. The scrap is valuable. In theory, you can get up to $1,000 if you handle the recovery and selling process. Due to the costly logistics and recovery processes, you will get a lower bid. Your catalytic converter scrap will fetch you a whopping $200 to $300. However, other dealers may pay as low as $25. Before selling the catalytic converter, you ought to be careful and aware of the market prices.

Ways To Sell the Catalytic Converter Scrap

Before rushing to any catalytic converter scrap dealer, check whether the scrap is an OEM catalytic converter. There are various ways to assess your cat. Here are different ways to evaluate your scrap. 

Check the casing for any stamps or serial numbers. You can also check for the company's logo. Nissan, Infiniti G35 producer, engraves serial numbers on their cats. In most cases, aftermarket cats lack serial numbers. If you cannot see a serial number or logo, try to clean the casing. Use sandpaper or steel wool to clean it. If you can't see any identifiers after scrubbing it, don't fret. A reputable scrap dealer will tell if it's an OEM or an aftermarket cat. 

Also, check the level of craftsmanship. If it's below par, there is a high chance it's an aftermarket cat and might lower its scrap value. OEM cats often exhibit neater welds and top-notch craftsmanship.  

Once you have the information, take it to a trustworthy dealer. Look up the price to avoid unfair returns. There are catalytic converter price databases online. You'll have to pay a small fee to use these databases. Most dealers will ask for a serial number to give you an accurate price range. They base the value of your cat on the recoverable precious metals and the market prices.

After getting the price range, you can sell your cat. Here are different buyers who can buy catalytic converter scrap. 

• Local Auto Shop or Scrap Yards 

You can take it to a scrap yard or a local auto shop. Sadly, they'll not pay top prices because they'll have to take it to a refinery or recycling point. Most of these yards or auto shops act as middlemen. They also have to get some profit from the whole process. On top of that, they lack the resources and knowledge needed to grade and price your scrap accurately. 

• Metal Smelters 

They give top prices. However, you'll need several cats to access metal smelters. It's an ideal option if you're a catalytic converter scrap collector. You'll have to ship the cat to them. However, they don't accept a single catalytic converter.  

• A Recycling Company 

Any recycling company in your locality can buy your catalytic converter scrap. If the inner structure is not damaged, you will get a top price for the catalytic converter. The recyclers will take steps to ensure you own the car and catalytic converter scrap. 

If you want maximum returns from your catalytic converter, consider de-canning your scrap before taking it to the recycling company. 

• A Scrap Car Company 

Scrap companies also buy catalytic converter scraps. But ensure you work with a licensed scrap dealer. The dealer will check if the cat is genuine and the type of cat. Some dealers may come to your home to collect the scrap. Just ensure you understand the cat scrap market to get fair pay.  

• Online  

You can also sell it online. Take a picture of your catalytic converter. Pinpoint any identifiers on the cat and then send it to online dealers. Different dealers will give you quotes. Once you find a dealer and a quote, ship the cat scrap to them. Most online dealers will pay you within 1 or 2 days. 

A Wrap

There are precious metals inside your catalytic converter scrap. Scrap dealers often exploit the lack of awareness and resources to price catalytic converters. You'll get a massive return from your Infiniti G35 cat if you're in the know-how.

It all rests on the steps taken before selling it and the buyer. If you do proper research, you'll get a fair return. Therefore, don't rush. Study your catalytic converter, get the serial numbers, and use databases online to find an accurate estimate for your cat.