8 1/4 vs. 8 3/4

lead69 said
It's not just about the horsepower but the torque you will be making and at a low rpm, adding that to a four speed and you will puke that rear, it's only a matter of time and traction. You can get decent money out of that rear now and put that cash into something better. There are a couple 8 3/4 housings on craigslist now and finding a 3.91/4.10 open center is not that hard, then just add a spool and axles from doctor diff. Sticky tires, big torque, four speed, c-clip 8 1/4 rear?, it doesn't add up. :D

I will have to say I agree. Made a couple of calls to guys I race with. I had previously mentioned 1 with a 4 speed. I have to correct myself now. He is running just around 400 HP 340. He has a DANA, because... he spit up 2 8 3/4 rears in about 10 passes each. He even twisted mark Williams axles with the dana ( lemon twister on past time) launching at 5000 rpms. He is running 11's in the 1/4. This guy and one other I spoke to today have been racing Mopars for 30+ years. The other has has an 8 3/4 in his dart running 11's to 12's depending on which motor, no change in rear end since 1990. Both guys told me the same as we have been hearing here all day. I was told to skip the 8 3/4 and use the Dana 60 I have. For What its worth. apparently that manual tranny is going be much more destructive than an automatic when you grab traction with slicks. More specifically they said when you come off the line spinning a little and then grab traction, which is going to happen sometimes. I actually prefer just a little tire spin out of the hole, end up with quicker ET and higher MPH. Rear ends on the other hand, do not like it. From talking to them, both you and I are probably going to destroy our 8 1/4 rear ends with slicks at the track.