The search for an 8.25"...can I make my 7.25" last in the mean time?

well i dont know what you are doing to it. i have been running my 70,000 mile 7 1/4 behind my 318 for 2 years now after the /6 swap and it is doing great. if you dont abuse it, it will last. if you are power braking it , doing burnouts and **** , its going to brake. especially when transitioning from dirt to pavement. i am running 225/70/15s up to 275/60/15s. i drive it everyday year round. including snow and ice.