Are you running a pinion snubber? I am asking because I run 6 cylinder springs with a leaf removed to get the car low. I run 4 degrees of negative pinion angle and the pinion snubber lightly touching the floor. I also used summit racing adjustable shocks with them set at 70/30. I have gone as fast as 1.48 in the 60 foot and have no problems with wheel hop. I think you are on the right track with the pinion angle, if it goes positive it will pogo and ruin diff parts at an alarming rate. A lot of people forget to set the pinion snubber properly. I also run a clutch type factory sure grip and have gone into the nines with my turbo Dart. I think that 10's should work with a stick car.
On another note I run a spool on the street and have had no problems with it, however it is tougher on tires. Of course it doesn't rain much nor snow ever.