How hard is it to change ratios in an 8-3/4"?

In my day MANY guys ran the deeper gears for the weekend drags and changed the pumpkin for the daily drive.
I just sold a 741 case 276 open complete center section for $100. There was nothing wrong with it. You can still find them at swap meets and online. Buying and setting up a ring and pinion will cost a lot more. The time needed to swap the center (two hours or less once you get practice) makes it the ultimate "low dollar" fix to your problem. Keep the good center section on the shelf for the racing and buy cheap used ones to run the highway. BTW, if you find you DON'T like the 276 ratio? Sell it or trade for a 3:23. They can be had for about the same price on a 741 case.