Older engine? thats your 1st mistake. get an 01+ at least. I got an 03 taurus engine for $300. There is a number of extra things you have to do with a older engine.
the least you can get away with is a diff/lsd? I dont knwo what that means, but if you dont get a LSD...you might as well not even drive the thing.
#2, and 3 search like we all had to do. all the info is here and can be found in about 5 minutes.
the 3L doesn't use the IMRC.