There is no need to do any of that if you are swapping the dash. If you get a dash from a 95-98.5 they will never warp, period.

Tony 1998 SVT Contour (B/MB) #542 3L 1998 SVT Contour (SF/MB) #1266 parts car 2000 SVT Contour (SF/MB) #1533 3L swap to begin!