I want to install a aftermarket amp and I am trying to figure out if I need a converter or if there is already rca's somewhere in the car. Any help is appreciated!!

There are no RCA outs in the Element factory system. Photos of the head unit and external amp are here:

http://www.ecnet.net/users/gallery/element-j/

are their actually RCA connectors or is there just a normal harness that needs to be spliced into. I need this info because I am having an Alpine CDA-9815 installed and I want to keep the factory sub and the stock amp to run that sub independently via the RCA sub outs on the new deck. any info would be greatly apreciated.

You'd need to splice into some wires. Check out this topic:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2636