Here's my problem (budget) if I save for the dana, I'll be saving through next race season. If I go with a nodular 8 3/4 , 35 spline axles, I can start racing again and (try) lol to be easier on take off.
And believe me when I say, I hear everyone saying your spending more money not getting the dana in the first place.
I have to make choices and I was not even thinking of having to put a new rearend in this winter. I have a long list of upgrades I had planned for the winter - put new leaf springs and get rid of the slant six ones, race shocks instead of street shocks, new MSD instead of stock, 2.02 intake valves instead of 1.88's, roll bar I'm only two tenths from needing anyways, roller rockers (maybe 1.6's) instead of stock 273's.
I'll probably do the rearend last as it's the easiest anyways. If by some chance I have 3k for a dana I'll have a dana, and if not I'll just have to make do.
And just to cut off the guy who inevitably is going to say I should get the dana first- I've made my choices and that long list bugs me more. Again, if I choose to use a upgraded 8 3/4 for another (hopefully) year and being aware of its limitations I may have a chance at using the vast majority of next winters budget on a dana.
As for now, tomorrow is payday and I have to call Brewer's performance and spend this month's car budget on the 4 speed parts I need while I still remember how those 94 parts go together #-o