Sold an 8 inch today to a chevy guy. He said "every single chevy guy uses these in their street rods. They are the best rearends made." Just priceless.
Thats what he told me he said 8 inches could handle up to 300 horsepower and he wasnt planning on any more then that.
They like em because they're cheap, strong and most street rod guys like the smooth look the 8 has versus the bolt on plate on GM rears since the rear is usually pretty visible('specially on hi-boys).