Can't really offer any suggestions, but I'm putting together a couple of Strats with Warmoth (swamp ash) bodies and maple necks, and I'm certainly considering the HD/IT HSS set. Also the VHII. I haven't owned either of those humbuckers, but they've always sounded to me like they'd be particularly well suited to Strats.
I think Antag may have a HD in a Strat, he certainly has one in an alder Jackson RR type.
I believe the old HD was indeed ceramic, with a slightly lower DC resistance, but not sure about the tonal differences. It is still available as a special order, Crazy Joe has (or had?) a set in his Ibanez not so long ago.