You did not say who you had try to install the empeg. I took mine (the first time) to Car Toys (in Colorado). They tried to change the price halfway into the install (they couldn't change the price, as I had a confirmed written qoute), and it took them almost 6 hours to do. Then, there was so much ground noice and slop in the install, two friends and I 'played' with it on a Saturday, and it fits fine.
Bottom line, there is always away (check out all the empeg installs!), and an unremovable empeg is like a computer without a drive...why? And Third...check out your installer closely. I took my to CarToys, as I was told they use to install them new and were authorized to do so. I have heard others say how great they were, so there you are....get a second opinion...