I'm simply recommending that if he wants to go through the trouble of a dash swap that this is the way to go. And BTW all the things that you mentioned are not a problem if your willing to do the work.

99 CSVT Green/Tan # 84 of 2760 Built on Wednesday, September 30, 1998 15.376 @ 92.00 MPH Stock 75,000Km 96 Contour GL 2.5L V6 ATX 170,000Km