Geez Dwight, you don't ask much
I'll contribute to Q #3.
Wide tires do work to keep the ASR from kicking in too often. I frequently switch between my stock 16" Pilot HX tires and 17" 275/40 Pilot Sports in the rear and find I can accelerate harder/sooner out of corners without that darn triangle flashing away!!
Others will have to tackle the rest of your shopping list :p