For a BB that would weigh about 3200 I would skip the 8 3/4..
being your narrowing it and do the 9".. I built up a pretty
decent 9" for a $1000.. all new parts but I narrowed it myself
(this was with a new posi since its for my DW car)... the 8 3/4
I have in the race car is the alum center which uses through bolts
and beefy caps.. but now days that center bare is over a $1000

"If you are spending the cash to narrow an 8 3/4 I would consider a Dana and be done."

X2
If you know what gear you will stick with and not planning to be experimenting, a Dana 60 will provide all the strength you need for less money than a Ford 9".

I am a believer in the Danas if they are going to be subjected to serious low end power and moving a heavy car or truck, but if you have a light racer that pulls from 60 to 140 in the 1/4 then a 8.75 would be just fine. As an example is the Swinger from Canada that is posted today with the Gen 3 Hemi, a turbo, a PG trans in front of a 8.75 with 3.23 gears that just ran a PB of 9.29. Just a different way of getting the job done.

we blew that cost theory out of the water on the last debate

O.K. , but how about pinion angle ? lol


9" is the upgrade when my 8 3/4 isn't up to the job.

I wouldn't use an 8 3/4 in that application.

I just picked up a dana for $80 worth in trade for a fuel pump I got not too long ago. I will have about 900 in it when I am done. Tim

If you have big plans for the car in the future build the 9".

If it's going to be a budget car build a truck dana.

Skip the 8 3/4.

3 words: Sheet Metal Housing - the housing is the weak link in either, so get rid of the housing and pick your poison - 9" has more options though

got mine 9" for my duster from a mid 70s merc with a tow package. the pin to pin is real close.

IMO: This is such a myth. I see plenty of 8-3/4's have nice long useful lives in race cars. Depends on the the weight of the car and the performance level. But for most 10 second foot-brake bracket cars, especially A-body's; I think a properly set up 8-3/4 can be good cost effective hardware. (Especially if you already have one)

Ford 8.8. Parts are cheap, less power consumption then a 9". Plenty of 3300lb cars running in the 4s in the 1/8

[/quote]the facts are don't waste your money on an 8-3/4 period [/quote]

IMO: This is such a myth. I see plenty of 8-3/4's have nice long useful lives in race cars. Depends on the the weight of the car and the performance level. But for most 10 second foot-brake bracket cars, especially A-body's; I think a properly set up 8-3/4 can be good cost effective hardware. (Especially if you already have one) [/quote]by all means let the op waste his money putting it behind a BB stroker motor and find out the hard way..

the facts are don't waste your money on an 8-3/4 period [/quote]

IMO: This is such a myth. I see plenty of 8-3/4's have nice long useful lives in race cars. Depends on the the weight of the car and the performance level. But for most 10 second foot-brake bracket cars, especially A-body's; I think a properly set up 8-3/4 can be good cost effective hardware. (Especially if you already have one) [/quote]by all means let the op waste his money putting it behind a BB stroker motor and find out the hard way.. [/quote]


I'm still waiting to find out the HARD way myself.........

is it a myth when one blows and takes out your tranny that you have wasted enough money to buy a race rear instead of a grocery getter?

. [/quote]


I'm still waiting to find out the HARD way myself......... [/quote]as long as you race on the street with street tires and have the 60's where you are at it probably wont make any difference. now put a decnt size set of slicks and get a hard hitting converter and see how long you talk that.

Not sure, but which ever one is better makes the other one cheaper. Think Eric has the correct answer for that size motor - although it might not be the most popular answer.

If you're starting from scratch, ditch the 8 3/4 for the 9" or Dana.

Tony you try to lump everything into one group.. my 8 3/4
with 14" slicks is still running strong... thats with a 1.19
60'

The way I look at it comes down to how fast is it or do you want to end up going? Or how often do you plan on racing it? A lot of our members only hit the track 2-3 times a year and can only supply that info. Trust the info from the guys that race IF you plan on doing so.