Cuda,
I would get some MT drag radials.. I can tell you that your going to blow the tires off with those S/R's. I'm going to buy a set of those S/R but use them for the street only. If it were me I'd have two sets of wheels and tires one for the street and one for the strip. As of now I'm running MT ET streets on the street. I even took them for a 300 miles road trip this wkend. They would be fine if you intend on driving ur car to the track.
As far as water box advise, I have never went around it. I drive right trough it. When told I slightly spin my tires in the water box to get them wet, then pull to the front of the box and proceed with my burnout. I like to see thick white smoke for a second before I roll forward.