My engine made 829@7900 at the crank on an engine dyno . The Duster weighed 3850 with the driver. All original spare tire in the trunk, Mini tubbed with an original length braced 8 3/4 housing leaf springs 456:1 gears and a 5500 stall.
8 years of street racing then 2 years after it was tired at the track and never a problem with the rear. Always foot braked. We are building a bigger small block for now and going to a Big Block. We are staying with the same rear for easy gear changes from 1/8-1/4. we might narrow the housing 1 inch per side to use centered wheels not sure. The new car will be under 2800.
Housing flex is the killer for the 8 3/4. We are thinking of going with a moser fabbed housing. If the 8 3/4 Grenades then its a Fab 9. Danas can get expensive if you have to keep replacing the housing. Been there. Nothings blow proof.
Years back when you pulled up behind a car with a Dana they looked cool. Today There like and iron old 426. They look good in old school cars but very heavy. Who wants to carry a whole rear in the race trailer for a spare. And then try and change it between rounds if something does happen.
When going from a 275 or small tire class to a 315 or big tire, and the 1/8 to 1/4 I prefer carrying prepped center sections. That's just me for a race car. If I had and old R/T , GTX or any old mopar street car where the look and strength mattered and was never playing with gears or tires. Its definitely a Dana
All my RR's and B'bodies in the past had Dana trac-lock 410's