Ok, ive got a mess of a problem.

I have a 98 cavalier with a 2.2L (this information is almost worthless) Somehow the previous owner managed to get a 96 2.2L into the car and running (its a 5 speed), My only guess is he had to swap all engine wiring because the plug in for the crankshaft position sensor is a 3 pin unit like the earlier engine. I just swapped in a 97 engine (thinking thats what i had in the car to begin with) and here in lies the problem.

I have no way to plug my crankshaft position sensor in. The car is wired for a 3 pin sensor, the engine is wired for a 2 pin sensor. I can not even find a wiring diagram for a 3 pin crank sensor. Before anyone says "just swap to the earlier sensor" its impossible from what i can tell, their lengths are very different.

Does anyone know how to accomplish this task without totally rewiring the car? Or Is there really room inside this thing to fit the longer 96 sensor into the block without smashing it into the crankshaft and destroying it?

Any help would be great at this point. After a week long swap, I'm beyond frustrated with this problem and no longer thinking straight.

ok, from dissasembly of the old engine i believe a 96 sensor will fit the newer engine. and no harm no foul.

Now for the real question.

the cars vin number per the dash tag and the door tag (and title) is 1g1jc1240w7205022

according to what i can find that makes the car a 98 (and per my local DMV) yet its strut tower tag for emissions calls it out as conforming to 1996 emissions standards. Its(the sticker)not been replaced, however im starting to think someone just grafted the entire front end off one cavalier onto the back half of this body.

how many of the body wiring connections would they have to have changed for this to work?

The emissions tag only means its OBDII as are all 1996 and newer cars.