slicks do help. i gotta d16y7 in my 96 coupe. so far 15.9 was my quickest and i know how you feel about the spining part, because i do the same thing as you. i spin like a bitch through first and second. i don't have enough money to get drag radials yet, but they would help with the traction part. so just get some good drag radials and try it. BTW, do you have LSD?? i got it in my car and my shit is stock, i guess i'm lucky though...