1996 Sebring Conv 2.5l engine compatability

I have a 1996 Sebring Convertible JXI with the 2.5l.:biggrin: The engine and tranny are bad and need to be replaced.:crying: The junkyard says I can only use a 1996-1997.:banghead: The 1998-2000 2.5l's look identical. What makes them different from the 1996-1997 2.5l's and can they easily be adapted?:eek7:

If you look up an engine on www.car-part.com it will tell you what will interchange. I'm seeing that engines are the same from 95 to 2000.

My son's 96 Sebring transmission went. I just picked up a donor 98 Sebring that I am going to swap engine and trans from. I checked car-parts.com and it appears they are compatible