"That said, an 8 3/4 is pretty strong for a factory stock rear end." quote----for you non readers SAE tested the 8.75 and the 9 inch---9 inch good to 450hp 8.75 good to 500hp and test done in same lab by engineers--- the weak point of the 9 inch is the pinion placement at the bottom of the ring gear and for the champions of the 8.8 it has the same pinion placement----the difference came when the aftermarket chased the 9 with all kinds of add on goodies--like 20 gear ratios etc---similar to the aftermarket chasing the sbc...