Want to keep factory head unit

Don't despair, you'll get a nice system setup using the factory head.  I recently did my 2001 SE, and did a lot of homework to figure it out.  Pulling the head unit out is not necessary, because the tuner is trunk mounted on the side of the antenna, just pull the lining.  The plug on your left as you look at the tuner has the eight wires for the speakers.  (I'll have to search through my junk to find the colors, but I found that they matched the same colors as the 1998 model when I did an online search).

In any event, they're easy to get to.  I used the David Navone Engineering LOC to pick up the speaker inputs, after getting bad results using the amp's built-in high level converter.  After that ordeal, I'll always recommend using a separate LOC.  I bought the adjustable model and ended up turning it all the way to the highest setting, which you can get with the 9.5V model http://www.davidnavone.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=N-774   for a 4 channel setup.

Use the front inputs for the interior speakers and the rear for the subwoofer, and you will be able to adjust your fade to bring up more or less subwoofer easily.   The doors are 6X8 as are the rear, but 5X7 will work as well.

I found a drilling spot for the amp power at the driver's side just under the brake pedal,  you'll just have to pull the carpet and pad down slightly to get to it.  Run the power and remote wire down the driver's side.  Attch the rem wire to a blk/? wire under the dash to the left of the steering wheel ( I'll look that up if you need). Use a multimeter to test, it should show 12V with the key to the on position, and nothing with the key off.

Run your new speaker leads up along the right side of the car.  You'll use a short amount of twisted cable at the trunk tuner to connect the speaker inputs to the LOC, and place the LOC close to the amps.  Connect the grounds for everything at the same ground spot on the sidewall that is being used for the radio tuner.  I have great results that way.

Hi there.  The EQT is a great 1/3 octave equalizer.  It is a single channel unit (meaning you would need one for the front and another for the rear.)  The EQX (or one of the digital models) has the ability to EQ more than one channel at a time.  Realize that if you upgrade your door speakers to a nice set of 5X7 coaxials (I prefer Infinity Kappa or MB Quart or JL Audio) and add a sub, you may not need an EQ.  I do not recomend the Epicenter.

If you're interested in a real trick unit, take a look at the HPX.  It's a LOC, line driver, spatial enhancer and sub woofer crossover built into one chassis.  They are nice units.

I don't like the Epicenter becasue I prefer "real" bass to the subsonic systhesizer used in the Epicenter or Epic.  These units are fine if you are trying to compensate for an inadequate speaker system.  Get a good quality woofer properly installed and you won't need one.  They just add noise to your system, IMO.

If you like the HPX (or similar dash mount units) but don't want them visible, do what I do: mount them under your seat.  That way they are accessable if you need to tweak them, but you don't have to look at them and their flashing LEDs and your factory appearance ramains.