How does one remove the center tail piece? Is it just held on by pressure clips? It just seems theres more going on... the area by the trunk latch is really on there, won't even budge.

Inside your trunk that center back panel pops out completely. You really have to pull hard its only held on by pressure clips and once you get it off then the bolts are right there. But don't be afraid to really pull on the panel its not going to break anything. Hope this helps.

What he said.

1996 Eclipse RS

-Mods-
Altezza tail lights
Apex'I N1 Cat-back Exhaust
Mitsubishi seatbelt pads
Momo Aluminum Sport shift knob
Symborski shift kit
AEM Cold Air Intake

-Stereo-
Clarion Deck
Infinity 6.5" front speakers
Clarion 6x9" rear speakers

there is six nuts holding on the center piece get a deep 10 mm socket to take them out... it's easy

once you get the center piece out, it takes 2 minutes to take off the other platic interior pieces, first time I tried to take off the taillights I didn't take those off and lost a ratchet and 3 sockets that were rattling in my ca5r till I decided to change my lights tto the smoked clears.