I'm not going into details, but my car, and other I have tuned with nitrous are MORE consistant than a naturally asperated set up.
I have 8 runs at LVD in October that vary from 5.933 to 5.950 (1000') from 1100 ft to -67 ft in altitude on nitrous.
It only cost more money when you have to UPGRADE your equipment to run quicker. If you plan ahead when you build your engine the first time with a heavier piston (for nitrous, not heavy for weight) and a good nitrous ring package, and good rods (steel rods work fine) you will always have a "if I ever run nitrous" engine that will run 300 to 400 runs before a rebuild just like any other engine.
Obviously everyone doesn't think they will run nitrous, but it never hurts to look ahead. There are SO MANY options with small shots of nitrous that will pick up 2 tenths and not do any harm to anything.
If someone wanted to run quicker, there are ways of doing it with many budgets. I am as pressed for money as anyone else is, but I research, and know what is going on outside my northeast racing world. There is alot out there for options, and if you've never done it, you should ask.
My side business is consulting for race teams and doing engine and nitrous set ups. I can assure anyone that nitrous isn't what it was ten years ago, and is very easy to work with, and very consistant. All nitrous does if tuned right is makes the engine think its bigger than it really is.
Scott Hall
scotth@moroso.com
scott@tedblackmotorsports.com