I'm thinking of going with the following set up:

13" Kenwood Sub with a 1100 watt Sony Amp running that
Infinity reference 111W x 4 amp running my front Infinity Kappa perfect compent speakers (all 4, not just the tweeters)
and
Infinity 97 W x 2 amp running my 2 rear speakers

Do you think this will be a little too much juice running to the battery (even if I have an optima????) Do you think I should get a high performance alternator if I'm going to go with this set up? Any suggestions?

Probably would not hurt, I would upgrae my grounding wires to a lower gauge before dropping $200 on a new alternator. The amps are probably not going to draw the much power as advertised (hate to break it to ya) so you might be able to get away with proper grounding and the optima.

I have had a 1700RMS system with no dimming or anything on stock alt and orbital (optima) battery

You should be okay...yes the Sony wont draw as much power as advertised, the Infinitys are CEA rated so the wattage you posted is correct.

Any reason you have the 4 channel only powering front speakers? Are you not using the crossover that comes with the Kappa speakers? Seems crazy to me, you should power all your speakers with your 4 channel, sell that 2 channel and spend the money on a better amp and sub.

-kevin

ehh...i'm pushing ~1600rms of actual rated a/b amp power on my single optima yellow and 0/1ga bower wire.....no dimming or electrical issues

cool thanks guys. and yes i am using the cross over, i didnt even think of that, good thing you reminded me! im gonna keep the sony and kenwood and see how they do for me.

I would make sure you have low ga wiring and you should be fine.