I have a 96 w a 3.8L v6.
will a 98 vg engine fit it?

 

I have never done it. But I beleive it should be a direct swap. You can go newer but then you will have to make the changes for a split -port.

 

the reason i am asking is because my 96 needs a new engine and i found someone who has a 98 3.8 auto with a wrecked rear end. for $400, they said I can have whatever I want off of it. Which means for $400, i'm getting the engine, which they said is in new condition, and the tranny.
they're dropping it off at my house and picking it up when i'm done, so i'm thinking of taking off other parts and turning around and selling them to get my $400 back. am i getting a good deal?

 

Depends. How many miles on the engine?

Are you going to use the trans?

 

Find a 99-04 motor, i've seent them go for 350$

 

Yea like VCS Said you can find them pretty cheap and youll get more HP

 

I'm taking the 3.6 off the 98, and maybe the transmission. On my current trans, I have to wait about 5 secs after i shift into "drive" for it to actually shift to drive. during that 5 secs, it's in neutral, from what i can feel. I've been told that I can have it adjusted, but it may be smarter to just put the tranny off of the parts car in mine.
My interior is black & tan, the parts car is black. do you think the black seats from the parts car would look good in mine instead of the stock tan ones?

 

I would snag the entire black interior if you could. The engine and the tranny will bolt right up.

 

I don't really need the interior.. i like the black/tan.
I might keep the parts car and fix it, i mean all it needs is a new rear quarter (driver's side) and a back window and it's small details from there. the motor i'm taking out of my 96 just needs one part.. think it's called a bearing rod or something. I know it's a big fix, but eventually I'll be able to do it.
I have two choices.
1)fix broken motor, put in parts car, fix parts car, and sell or give to gf
2)get rid of parts car, fix broken motor, do whatever upgrades possible on broken motor, put it back in my 96, and sell the new, stock 3.8.
decisions, decisions...