Chrysler Repair: Common Chrysler engine swapping, chrysler new yorker, electronic control module

Question
What are the major differences (mounting, extra connections...?) between a 1990 Chrysler Fifth ave and a 1989 Chrysler New Yorker.

The problem, I have a chasis damaged New Yorker
(%&*! crumple-zones) and am eye-balling a Fifth Ave that's been yard-sitting for more than a year. If the Fifth ave is motor-dead, my NY'er has a rebuilt motor with a good tranny. Is the swap attempt worth the effort? The Fifth Ave has no visible body damage, though I havn't been able to look under the hood as yet. A little help would be appreciated. Thank You!  :)

Answer
Hi John,
That is a challenging question as I haven't had personal experience with either the C-body or the Y-body cars. My understanding therefor comes from reading the service manuals and wiring diagrams for the most part. As far as I know, if the engines were of the same displacement they should mechanically interchange quite nicely, as would the transaxle/transmission if both cars had the same ones. Electronically things might be a little tricky in that as best I can tell the '89 had a single module engine controller, while the '90 had a single board engine controller, but the circuitry of specically electrical components between the two engines should be pretty near identical (the same various circuits would be provided for both engines but the plugs might not always match up, requiriing some splicing). Similarly the electronic transaxle, if both are A-604 will be mechanically compatible but there might be some minor differences in the electronic control module for the two years in question. The cars are near enough in age that I think it would be a tractible exchange. I have the wiring diagrams for the '89 New Yorker 3.0L, and for the 3.OL as used in  the '90 LeBaron (which is probably the same for that year's 3.0L in the Fifth Avenue). However, again there may have been some minor electronic changes from '89 to '90 for that transmission. If the two vehicles you are dealing with had different engines and transmission types, then that would be a much more significant challenge, mechanically and electrically. May I suggest that you contact a couple of different Yahoo Groups that specialize in the C- and Y-bodies? If you will go to Yahoo.com and select groups, there is a Chrysler C-body group and a Chrysler extended K-body group (that also includes the Y-body) and their members may have experience in such transplants. But before posting I think it would be good to verify if you are dealing with identical powertrains in the two cars you are dealing with as this will make the mechanical issues pretty minimal and the electrical can no doubt be worked out as well with a little adjustment. If you were dealing with different engine blocks and transmission types then you would have a can or worms.
Roland