I appoligize if this question has already been asked before.
I've been looking into swaping a JDM ITR into my 99 SI. My question is what are the major differences between 96 spec and 98 spec as far as i can tell the differences arn't much between the two. Like the final drive is 4.785 in the 98 apart from that they apear to be very similiar. Just been doing some price searches and they seem to be at least 500-1000 more for the 98 spec

PS:
i'm new to HT the advise on here is above and beyond of any other site the detail that goes into your responsces are well thought out ,most of all i love the *** guides HT is my new home

 

96spec
- Hand ported head
- 3 degree's less duration on intake cam (compared to 98)
- exhaust manifold with 2.5" collector
- 4.4 final drive with itr 4th and 5th (1.107 & .878)
- black oil cap and silver plug cover

98spec
- machine ported head
- ctr/itr cams instead of 96specs
- "jdm 4-1" header instead of exhaust manifold
- 4.785 final drive, but gsr 4th and 5th gears. (i prefer the 96spec tranny)
- chrome oil cap and carbon fiber looking plug cover.


the motors are almost identical, no real difference between them. we've had 4 96specs and 1 98spec and they all dynoed between 184 and 188whp.

 

i see very similiar indeed thanks for the info