Nitrous isn't too hard on a motor when done right. The fuel system can probably handle a fairly small 'dry shot' (where just nitrous, no fuel) injected in the air intake. You would definately want to tune on the dyno with an exhaust gas analyzer to be sure the car isn't running lean. Depending on what the stock fuel system is capable of, you could probably run a 25-40hp shot of nitrous. That way as long as the fuel system can handle + 10% normal injection, it should be able to keep the mixture right. Running more power needs a 'wet shot' where fuel is injected with the nitrous. This can also be done in the intake, or if you want to get crazy you can do direct nitrous injection where you fabricate a different cup for the fuel injector to sit in, with the nitrous nozzles integrated.
My buddy runs a tube chassis drag car, with a motor that produces 1200hp on c16 fuel, and then with two stages of nitrous for a total of 2000bhp. They've also added nitrous to their '72 Chevelle SS, which is also in the 1200hp range, plus a 250hp shot to start, and possibly bumping to a 400shot next spring. This Chevelle is a car that runs DOT radial tires, and is completely street legal - cats, mufflers, the whole deal. The car weighs 4000lbs, and this spring on the motor alone, before its latest rebuild, was running consistent 10.05s.
- Mark
(again, the views expressed within this post are mine, and mine alone. they are not representative of Maserati, or Maserati of Minneapolis.)