Every component in racing has a failure point as far as stress and HP. The 8 3/4 with a back brace welded on before doing any straightening is a good start, a steel cap on the left(drivers )side is needed and setting the gears up correctly(move the pinion back .008 to .012 from the optimum distance helps also, 35 spline spool and axles are needed also These fixes won't make a 8 3/4 bullet proof in a 3600 lb car with really good traction and 700+ HP If you want to swap the ring and pinion gear out around 100 hundred runs it will live that long as proven in many bracket and NHRA class cars. Those that use that maintenace routine normally sell the used ring and piniuons to help pay for the new ones If you want a bullet proof rear end then use the Dana 60