just a few thoughts and ???

The biggest difference in the eight is the rpm needs to climb faster. So you gear for that then you have the issue in teh 1/4 of running out of rpm. That's why I say to max things out it cant really be done well. So if it were me I'd gear it for the 1/4 rpm you need and put as much diameter as you can under it. Taller gets you more usable traction (footprint) than wider does. So taller tire/steeper rear gear will help in both power to tires and tires' ability to transmit that power. Then run the 1/8th like it was a 1/4mile in terms of shifting.