Cyclocross - DURA ACE 8 SPEED to CX Frame?

I have a complete set of Dura Ace 8 Speed from an old bike including strangely some older Campy wheels that work with the group. I have been scouting around for an CX frame to build up and would love to swap most of these components to a new bike thus saving money and time. Is it worth it to try and swap all these components to a newer CX frame? Or am I going to run into compatibility problems and end up spending more just try and salvage these parts? I would probably want to upgrade the crankset to a more cross-ready setup. Is that going create some more problems as well?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

There shouldn't be compatibility issues. I love 8 speed for cross. You can custom build a cassette if you want to and most of the parts are cheap to replace, although if dig a D/A STI into the sand you may have a difficult time finding an replacement that isn't Sora. As for the crank, any 130BCD crank works fine. You can but new smaller rings for it and call it done. Typical combo is 38 and 46.

There shouldn't be compatibility issues. I love 8 speed for cross. You can custom build a cassette if you want to and most of the parts are cheap to replace, although if dig a D/A STI into the sand you may have a difficult time finding an replacement that isn't Sora. As for the crank, any 130BCD crank works fine. You can but new smaller rings for it and call it done. Typical combo is 38 and 46.
Are you saying that I can get new rings for the front that are more "cross friendly" ? Like the 38+ 46?
Thanks

yup.

Do I have "modern" options for replacing the crank/bottom bracket all together or will there not be anything out there that will work with the rest of the DA 8 speed group?

You can replace the crank with a modern one without issue. Newer 9 and 10 speed rings will accept a 8 speed chain, just not the other way around.

Thanks for the tips! I really appreciate it. Looks like Im closer to getting a cross setup than I thought. Just need to find the right 60cm frame.....

I prefer 8 speed for cross, more mud-friendly than 9 or 10 and the chains are stronger- I see more and more broken chains in cross races as 10 speed becomes the norm. A few years ago, this seems to have been much less frequent- and 8 speed chains don't need the powerlinks, the pins are not mushroomed on the ends like newer designs and they don't need to twist as much as 9-10speed. You certainly don't give up any performance with 8, and hella cheaper to replace drivetrain parts if you surf around Ebay and the web. Only issue is when your shimano shifters eventually need replacement, I keep mine clean and lubed and I've been lucky, both my 8 sp Ultegras and 105s are still going, when they don't I'll eventually replace them with 10sp campy brifters that will work with 8 sp Shimano without any adapters. Just be aware that your older 8 speed DA rear derailleur may not play nice with 9 speed cassette when you upgrade (actually downgrade IMO...) Any other shimano derailleur should be fine though, including other 8 sp models, just not the DA.