1.8 2H engine exhaust systems

Hi girls and guys.  I'm looking at upgrading the exhaust system on the above.  I want to go stainless.  At present it has a cat.  So are there any uprated cats?  A lot seem to say remove it but then I've also read a few saying not to.  Would a normal gti cabriolet exhaust system fit or is it 2H specific?  And then I need to also upgrade the engine mounts I've read somewhere.  Basically, what would you do exhaust wise with a cabby with a 2H?
Thanks in advance

What year is your car as that will decide if you have to have at cat fitted.

Take a look at this:
Vehicle exhaust emission standards - GOV.UK

Cars do not have to have a catalytic convertor fitted to pass the MOT test, however they must pass the CO and HC emission checks. From 1/8/95 lambda checks were introduced and must be measured and be within the defined limits. There is a huge Annex of engines in the above doc for engines between 1/8/92 and 1/8/95 where stricter emissions and control tests are required like the post 1/8/95 cars. A good example of this is the DX engine fitted to 1993 Cabby Sportlines is subject to 4.5% CO and 1200ppm where as your 2H engine is subject to harsher checks if it was registered after 1/8/92.

Lambda control was introduced to reduce emissions and also to stop the engine going over lean or over rich and damaging the CAT.

1/8/75 to 1/8/86 requires 4.5% CO and 1200ppm HC
1/8/85 to 1/8/92 requires 4.5% CO and 1200ppm HC
1/8/92 to 1/8/95 requires 4.5% CO and 1200ppm HC unless your engine is in the Annex at the back of the document above. The 2H engine is and requires 0.5% CO and 200ppm HC and a Lambda check.

A well controlled engine will easily pass even the 2H settings, for example my 230bhp 16V Supercharged engine in my MK1 just passed its MOT with 0.07% CO and 12ppm HC running an Emerald ECU and wideband lambda control !!

I hope that helps you decide :-)

I thought that if your car was on a K plate onwards it's meant to have a cat fitted, any car before that did not need one.

No, there was a grey area between 92 and 95.. If it came with a cat after 1/8/92 then it has to be tested as a cat car (see the annex in that doc). There are loads of Cabbys up to 1993 L plate that had DX engines with no cat, they are tested as non cat.

The key thing is tested as cat or non cat - the mot does not require a cat to be fitted at all, the mot test does not require a check for one. Just that the emissions are within the required limits. Then post 1/8/95 a check that a lambda probe is fitted and running within spec.

That's great, thanks.  So then exhaust systems.  Most I'm finding are pre-clipper kit.  Anyone with clipper kits got any recommendations.  And then the other question is will a gti exhaust fit the 2h?

Also, the date of registration of the vehicle is May 2000 as it was imported.  Or does it go by date of manufacture?