1. When a manual says a motor has a 8.5q capacity that does not mean that you have to put 8.5q in it when changing the oil. Its not about how much oil you put in the motor. It is about how much oil is in the motor. Say you are only able to drain 7.5q out of the motor and 1.0q is left in it. Then you fill her with 8.5. Well 8.5 + 1.0 = 9.5 so you would be overfilled by 1.0 quarts.
2. When in doubt trust the dipstick.
Most sticks read a range from LOW or MIN to MAX or FULL. The top end of the range MAX or FULL = Full capacity spec(8.5q in your case), MIN = 6.5q.
3. 1996-1999 = 8.5q capacity
2000-2002 = 10q capacity
5. When filling up during an oil change there is no harm in intentionally under filling by a little(up to a full quart) then starting her up for a min then letting sit before checking the dipstick to add to the appropriate level. It is easier to add then to subtract.
6. No harm in running 1/2q over full. Some people purposely do it for specific events to help prevent oil starvation. When your going around long high-g turns some oil stays in the valve covers and the oil that is in the pan is sloshed to the side. This leaves less depth of oil (if any) over the pickup.
7. If you are concerned about oil starvation then you should purchase the 00-02 OEM higher capacity oil pan and add the simple easy to install baffle kit to it that JonB(@partsrack.com) sells. A new oil pan is pretty expensive but from what i remember used ones go for about 1/2 the cost.
