Ok so i didnt get to post back on the 96 tl since i was sick but im really on crunch time now....i need to know now if i cant resolve the issues in the 96 tl with the 2.5 can i take the 3.0 vtec from the 98 tl? What would be involved? Harness computer? Or plug n play? Plz help quickly since im almost sure when i get back home my lexus will be sold so i quickly need to decide if the 96 is worth fixing with either the swap or tracing down the problem or if i should just get rid of it and invest my time in the 98.....im just not a fan of the 2 door body.....so ur help is greatly appreciated. Lol

 

There are no 2dr. TL's. If your 98 is a 2dr. and it has a 3.0 VTEC, it's not a TL, it's a CL. Not much interchangeability between those and a TL. Really need more information that what you've given so far to help trace down the problem. You said the CEL was on. Need to know what codes are stored.