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The 1996 Impala SS uses the B-body 5.7L LT1, so the chassis, steering, engine accessories, collector route and emissions equipment matter as much as the cylinder-head bolt pattern. There are only two current, distinct bolt-in header designs I could verify for this car. Tier 2 is deliberately not a substitute list: these are current LT1 headers a shopper will encounter, but each is for an F-body or a different swap and is not a bolt-in 1996 Impala SS choice. The black Hooker 2063HKR is the same physical header as the ceramic 2063-1HKR in a different finish, so it is excluded rather than padded into the count.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clear Image Automotive Gen II Tri-Y GEN001SS | from $915 | Amazon |
| 2 | Hooker 2063-1HKR Street Force Headers | $1,399.95 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Speed Engineering 25-1019 Gen II LT1 Longtube Headers | $249.99 | Amazon |
| 4 | Pacesetter 70-2239 LT1 Long Tube Headers | $485.77 | Amazon |
| 5 | Kooks 22402200 LT1 F-Body Headers | $1,737.23 | Amazon |
| 6 | Stainless Works CA9697CAT LT1 F-Body Header and Catted Y-Pipe | $2,404.45 | Amazon |
The picks, in detail
Clear Image Automotive Gen II Tri-Y GEN001SS
Tier 1 — exact fit. Clear Image’s Gen II Tri-Y is redesigned specifically for the 1994–1996 Impala SS B-body. It is the current purpose-built option when fit, routing and installation are the priority.
- 1994–1996 Impala SS application
- Tri-Y header design
- stainless option available
- specific B-body LT1 fit
- current manufacturer listing
- premium price
- order configuration affects total
Hooker 2063-1HKR Street Force Headers
Tier 1 — exact fit. Hooker 2063-1HKR is the ceramic-coated 1994–1996 Impala SS LT1 header, with 1-3/4-inch primaries, a 3-inch collector and CARB EO D-164-5.
- 1994–1996 Impala SS LT1 fit
- 1-3/4-inch primaries
- 3-inch collector
- published vehicle application
- CARB EO listed
- expensive ceramic version
- availability can be limited
Speed Engineering 25-1019 Gen II LT1 Longtube Headers
Tier 2 — not bolt-in for an Impala SS. These are 1993–1997 Camaro and Firebird F-body headers, not B-body headers; their 1-3/4-inch primary and 3-inch collector routing is built around the F-body chassis and the product is race-only.
- 1993–1997 F-body LT1 application
- 1-3/4-inch primaries
- 3-inch collector, 304 stainless
- current in-stock LT1 product
- stainless construction
- F-body route does not equal B-body fit
- race-only emissions status
Pacesetter 70-2239 LT1 Long Tube Headers
Tier 2 — not bolt-in for an Impala SS. Pacesetter 70-2239 is made for 1993–1997 Camaro and Firebird 5.7 LT1s without air injection or EGR. Its F-body layout and emissions configuration do not make it a 1996 B-body solution.
- 1993–1997 Camaro and Firebird LT1 fit
- long-tube mild steel
- no-air-injection and no-EGR application
- current retail listing
- gaskets included
- F-body-only routing
- emissions equipment conflict
Kooks 22402200 LT1 F-Body Headers
Tier 2 — not bolt-in for an Impala SS. Kooks 22402200 is a 1993–1997 Camaro and Firebird LT1 long-tube design with 1-3/4-inch primaries and 3-inch collectors. It is a real current LT1 option, but its F-body fitment is the disqualifier.
- 1993–1997 LT1 F-body fit
- 1-3/4-inch primaries
- 3-inch stainless long tubes
- current LT1-specific product
- stainless construction
- not a B-body header
- requires F-body downstream exhaust plan
Stainless Works CA9697CAT LT1 F-Body Header and Catted Y-Pipe
Tier 2 — not bolt-in for an Impala SS. Stainless Works CA9697CAT is a 1996–1997 LT1 F-body long-tube and catted Y-pipe package. The F-body chassis and Y-pipe configuration are specifically why it is not an Impala SS replacement.
- 1996–1997 LT1 F-body application
- long-tube headers with catted Y-pipe
- stainless package
- complete current F-body package
- catted downstream system
- F-body-only layout
- not a 1996 Impala SS bolt-in
Buying tips
- Buy from Tier 1 for a stock-layout 1996 Impala SS; shared LT1 engine architecture does not make F-body headers fit the B-body.
- Check local emissions law and the product’s certification before altering the exhaust.
- Do not count Hooker 2063HKR and 2063-1HKR as two choices: they are paint and ceramic finishes of the same header design.
- Plan the headers, collector connection, catalytic converters and cat-back together before installation.
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