#1: I've never played that line, but my impression of it was that Black doesn't get much in it - whether it's equal or not, he doesn't have that many winning chances.

#2: I play ...Rb8 - no point in trying to save the rook just yet; there's no need. Getting some form of attack going is more important.

#3: I think that ...Re8 is better; ...b5 and ...a5 is too slow if White reacts on the kingside. Black has to take defensive measures first.  ...Re8 helps because e7 usually comes under attack before f7, so you end up gaining a tempo on the kingside (as ...b5 doesn't help defend) with which to beat off the White attack. The fact that Black doesn't have as much counterplay immediately isn't relevant; White normally has to sacrifice in these lines.