Regarding the sounds. Less is more....and better!!
What I mean is I've found having too long a .wav file will create problems with how the sound is played and how it gets along with others. I stated before, emulating what the stock game does with its length and volume and you're better off. If you've got a sound that's been modified by someone other than the stock developers, and its messing up the works, pull it out and let the stock sound play as intended......simple as that!
I've seen it all too many times, modders get into the idea that simply changing something....
anything is better. It's not so.