Doesnt even need to be a facelift. They changed to the later style ECU on the AEB around 1998, and the 98-99.5 harness should more or less plug straight into your '96, and will give less immobiliser hassle. If you used a facelift harness it wont match up with the car harness.
No real point using an AJL ECU, they're rare and hence more expensive, just get yourself an '98 AEB loom and ECU. I have one, but its currently provisionally sold.