Absolutely correct and good info. The harnesses and ecu’s are not compatible and many of the accessories as you’ve pointed out. One would simply want to use the long block and the 93-94 accessories etc
The bottom end is a bit different if you’re looking to swap a used short block in. The later models have a reluctor on the crank for the crankshaft position sensor. I reckon they use a different oil pump drive gear to make room for the reluctor on the late models that way they can use the same...
Japanese Auto in wheat ridge is a great 80 series resource. I’ll be tinkering tomorrow in my garage in Broomfield if you want to stop by with it we can poke at it. It doesn’t sound like a rod knock on the video, but it’s so hard to tell via video.
Also you might want to cross post on the Rising...
Drive it now that the major knock is gone. I’ll be headed to GJ from Broomfield tomorrow. I can snag ya is stuff gets wired haha. In my 80 that’s been ticking for 200k miles