This isn't an easy DIY job. It's a very difficult DIY job with some professional components. It's cheaper than a 30K complete kitchen redo, but it will cost you at least 1K to accomplish by the time you're done.

You will need a granite professional to come in and recut the granite to match the profile of the new sink. Anything else would not look right at all. If you don't want to pay for that, then cancel your idea right now. That's gonna cost you at least $300 right there, plus the cost of the sink. And that is if the granite can be cut in place. Since your sink is already shoehorned in there, it may need the slab pulled in order to be cut correctly, and you run the risk of damaging it if you have to do that.

What good is it sacrificing the cabinet walls if the whole thing comes crashing down? The cabinet walls is what support that HEAVY sink full of water and granite countertop. You would have to create a temporary counter support in order to remove those walls, much like the temporary support walls needed when you remove a load bearing wall to install a beam. Then you would have to space invade into the adjacent cabinets to the sink cabinet and create a "cradle" support system for your counter and sink, being VERY careful that it was doing the correct support job. That portion is at least possible for the skilled DIYer, but be very very sure that you DO have those skills before tackling the job. You're talking about 400 pounds crashing down on you if it's not done correctly.

Thanks. There is no way in Hades I was going to tackle this myself (or let my DH take a swing). Going through a gut/remodel, we know our limitations.

Here are the dimensions:

Cutout: 30 x 16 3/8
Kohler (current): int: 29 1/4 x 15 3/4 ext: 31 1/2 x 18
Blanco: int: 30 1/2 x 16 1/2 ext: 33 1/2 x 22

So it already looks off as there is a bit on all sides of the undermount showing. With the Blanco being slightly larger (and darker) I was thinking it would actually look marginally better.

Does anyone know if the undermount portion of a Silgranite can be slightly trimmed to fit into tight spots? For instance the near 5" part at the top where the faucet could be mounted?

Also - I wouldn't dream of giving up the stablility of the cabinet. As you say, 400# is a heap load of weight. But I would be willing to lose the cabinet storage in order to reinforce it properly if a solution could be created.

Thanks - C