8 3/4 vs 9" cost-wise

No its not. To a point maybe, but how do you keep the axle tubes from twisting? How low can the car sit with the monster center section of a Dana? Lots of issues with tank/floor Clearence if you don't want a 4x4 muscle car.

I've only seen the tubes on a Dana twist once when a guy went from a 600 rwhp to 1200+rwhp. The rear lived for over 10 years with 600 HP just fine but only the 1200 cause the tubes to twist. Anything less then that it will be just fine. You don't have to be having a 4x4 look with the Dana, RMS even sells the street lynx kit for the Dana with coilovers, you just will being running close to stock ride height.