8 1/4 vs. 8 3/4

The 8-1/4 is medium strong.
The 8-3/4 is pretty strong.
The DANA is best.

In the street, the 8-1/4 would be fine for a cruiser with a few street burnouts.
On a street strip application, the 8-3/4 would be OK on a limited track use. 1 or 2 times a year at the track.
The DANA will take it all down no problem.
If this is mostly track use, I think I would have to go with the guys and vote DANA.

Do you have any idea what kind of power the engine is making?
A brief description of the parts used?
Cam size, state of heads, intake & carb.

The thing about 4spd cars is the amount of shock the drivetrain receives on launches.
I tend to walk mine out and lay into the throttle as much as possible before wheel spin. Also, changing gears, I also try and limit the throttle as not to do anything more than chirp the tires and then, Again, lay into the throttle as much as possible but not loose traction.

While this method doesn't allow for the quickest runs , ET, it doesn't hammer the rear.
The car is a full steel '73 Cuda (3650lbs.) w/4.10'a on street tires but not a stroker. 360 CID, 11-1, solid cam @ 248 @ .050 Edelbrock heads. Very limited track use, lots of street abuse.