The most common LT1/4 headers are the short tube variety that allows the re-installation of the factory cats in the stock location. The L98 motors benefitted more from the long-tube headers. There are high-flow cats available but unless you have or are planning some internal mods like a cam and head work, the stock cats will work. So the cost of new cats may not really justifiy the results. On the other end of the car, you should enlarge the hole in the air filter lid to allow more air in. Get a K&N air filter too. The filter is a type you can clean and re-install. The regular paper filters work, but they are expensive and a K&N will flow better and it will be the last filter you buy.
Don't bother with the little airfoil insert for the front of the throttle body or anything that says it will give you a 5 to 10 HP gain simply by putting some airflow management thingie in the intake. A total waste of your money.
Canadian laws regarding removal or unnecessary replacement of factory cats may be different than US Federal regulations, but technically, you cannot simply swap cats unless the OEM ones are damaged or found to be not working properly. Most hi-flow cats will pass emissions testing.
Once you get the car back, you can check the RPO codes by going to the Tech Center section and find a wealth of information about your 96. If, for some reason, the car doesn't have the RPO code sticker, you can purchase a copy of the build sheet and even a dealer windshield sticker from the National Corvette Museum. Go to
www.corvettemuseum.com and click on the "Window Stickers" link about half way down the page on the left side. It's in the Archives section. While your'e there, you might want to join the Museum. The NCM is a great place and by joining, you will help to keep the Museum going and preserve the history of these cars.
