I have been looking at donor engines and am holding out to find one with less miles than what I have been finding. Does anyone know which year models engine will interchange with a 96 3.8? Replacing a 3.8 with a 3.8! I am finding some 2002 engines with fewer miles but I wanted to make sure that I am buying something that will be bolt up without having to make alot of changes before I buy.

 

All the 3.8 Camaro engines will interchange with it, but if you get a '99+ then you will have to swap your old intake manifold and throttle body onto the newer engine.

 

I was going to ask the same question. I've got a 98 now, and want the intake off a 99+. I'm seeing the throttle body is different between the two, but does the old TB not line up with the 99+? Looking under the hood at a 2001, it really looks like the major difference on the driver's side is that the electronic throttle is there, and runs up to the plate of the intake. But do the bolt patterns line up otherwise?

 

See my Build thread in my Sig. I am puting a 2002 in a 96. Upper intake and injectors are different. The changed the design of the front end to fit the LS1 and it seen they took advantage of that by making a taller intake. If you strip all the parts off the motor you can even use many of the FWD 3800.