Best next upgrade?

If you plan on more engine upgrades in the future and race on a glued track with racing compound tires, skip the 8 3/4 and go to a 9 1/4 or dana 60 right away.
If the drag strip in Oregon the op lives close to is Woodburn you can loose a shoe walking on the starting line...
My 8 3/4 lasted about 20 passes....