Save the money and get one of Dr Diffs nodular units. No way any empty 8-3/4 pig is worth $1000 no matter what it’s made of in my opinion. At that price, plus gears and everything else needed, you’re into Dana budget territory. I run a stock 742 chunk with MW steel maincaps, a 35-spline spool, and a backbrace. I’m footbraking perhaps 550hp at it in a full weight (3800-lb in the beams) B-body. It’s stood up well for a number of years, probably has at least 400 passes and plenty of street miles on it.... no issues thus far. I know 8-3/4’s have their limit, but I think if set up right, they’re a little tougher than most give them credit for.

BTW: Great to see Cass (Dr Diff) weigh in here. My housing is full of his parts and Cass has spent way more time with me on the phone helping me than my business warranted. one of the good guys for sure!! 👍