I don't want to sound like a jerk but if you have a car that can run in the 9's and use a transbrake at a track and the car hooks up, a 8 3/4" rear end will brake.
I'll even through out a number, whithin 15-20 launches.
Foot driving will keep them alive, Brett Miller is proof of that.
I've been running my 8 3/4 with a alum center
for years.. the car is light.. leave the line
at 5600 rpm shift at 8200.. I broke a totally
stock one when a cap broke(thats when I changed
to the alum center.. weight is the killer
EDIT
every launch running a trans brake
