need 8 1/4 advice

No need to swap to the 8.750. The 8.250 is plenty strong. I have a local friend who ran one in a strip only Demon for years that ran low 11s hangin the hoops every time it left. Never broke and in fact he still has it. Only reason he swapped was because he upgraded to a nasty stroker. The 8.250 is very similar in size and shape as the Chevy 12 bolt. Don't let anyone tell you they're weak. It's not true.