thanks for the info. I will put the 96 motor in the car and leave the trans, only problem I had with it was it wouldnt shift on its own from 4th to 3rd.
ocei, all the plugs and locations on the two motor are identical. possibly was I was lied to on what year the motor is....? I'm not seeing a reason to swap manifolds and harness. possibly something else I'm not aware of, as there was with the trans differences. (the motor and trans were pulled after the previous owner wreaked the car, I've never seen the car they came from, just going on what I was told about them)