Catera Stereo Q's

Okay so I'll bump my own post.

Here's what I found so far:
Front's 6-1/2 or 6-3/4 either way it requires 1" spacers and cutting metal
Rear's - They are 5" so I'm going with 5-1/4's and 1" spacers

For the firewall:
After spending 6 hours removing panels and poking around I gave up and took the car to my buddy who is a installer. He came up with the solution of going from under the hood through the passenger side fender (there is a square hole cut for the brake lines there already) then drilling a hole through the fenderwell which lands inside the vehice and into the 4" thick foam on the passenger side floorboard. We covered the wire in tons of electrical tape & flex loom used a grommet and dum-dum(kinda like caulk) for the pass-through and hopfully it will be sealed from the elements.

Here's my plan in case your curious:
Metra Dash kit 99-2004
Metra GM Antenna Adaptor AADP4
Metra Wiring harness 70-2001
(2) Metra 1" spacers 82-4300
Alpine 9811 Head Unit
Alpine SPR-176A 6-3/4" Mids & 1" Tweets Fronts
Alpine SPR-136A 5-1/4" Mids & 1" Tweets Rears
4 RE 8" Subs in a 3.0cuft ported box tuned to 32.3hz
All pushed by a Kicker 700.5 amp
Lightning Audio SX4PK - 4ga Amp kit
(3) Stinger Hyper - SHR17 17ft rca cables

To those who are trying to install a system in their Catera here's what I know:
Most places won't do it cause of the security/On star. However I am told by a buddy who works at a very well respected install shop that it is possible just not profitable for them. They get paid about a $100 for a install that will require about 16 hours work (you do the math.) Also many of the panels break when prying or bending them out of the way. Be really careful. I can also tell you this: I will get my system in my car no matter how long it takes or what I brake; it will happen. And I will keep you updated so it's easier for you.

Sure you can ask. I actually always thought Alpine was overpriced but here's the deal: For the head unit the best specs out there besides really high end brands is alpine. They just seem to be a good deal for the money. For the speakers I am actually a Polk guy. I run all Polk in my home theatre however I don't feel their car audio tweeters are as bright as their home ones. It's funny but as you know - there are bassheads well I am into clear highs and distinct midrange. I ran Infinity in my fist car a Fiero and I felt they had a cloudy midrange and weak highs. Then went PolkEX for my Neon in which I felt I spent more money than they were worth. For My 99 Civic SI I run Polk DB 6-3/4's again still not pleased with the highs. So much so that I pulled the tweets and installed some Soundstremes a buddy had and am much happier. So for the Catera I started to demo speakers even non Polks (gasp) and found Alpine Type R's to be very crisp and detailed. I probably still won't be happy but that's the nature of the hobby As for the MB's you mentioned I remember them from my roots of car audio back in 92-94 and they were the best out there. I figured like every other brand from then they probably are crap by now. Also I don't have anywhere locally that sells them so no demo.