Very cool car, i know what you are going through, the wheelie bars will help, BUT shock adj, Progressive for the nitrous and digital7 are the real keys to going fast with your car. I have been 5.30's witha lot less motor and 440-1's at 3500lbs. THe biggest improvements ive made is keep the front down with a progressive, and working with travel and shock adj. You will go the fastest when you keep the bars from ever hitting the ground. With the motor you have i would be as bold to say you can go 5.0s or even in the 4's YOull see when you get the wheelie tamed just how much nitrous you can put to it,
My car is the same as yours, ladder bars with coilovers, 295 drag radials, street car 3500lbs