8 3/4" How Strong?

I tell you what comes to my mind when you said it like that. A beefed up 8 1/4.
I agree, or an 8 3/4 with aluminum center section, beefed up housing, caps and axle. All the same issues with an 8 1/4.

really, what is the tipping point from handling to horsepower/ torque in autocross?