beastyle............
your off to the right start by improving the engine's breathing, meaning better intake(filter, maybe cold air or ram air, free flowing exhaust, and timing, usally a chip). after that it becomes endless. kinda of like car audio, it depends on what your after and then personal preference as to parts,ie holly or edlebrock. of course engine displacement, power curve and gearing all play a role in accomplishing the end result.
something that had to do with the wheelbars (dutch = nokassen, dunno right english word)
do you meaned lowered? maybe the suspension is re-enforced, modified?
anyway, are you after all out quick, all out fast or both? as to NOS, $600-$700 US will likely get you into a bottle up to 100hp or so. at that level there is little needed to do to the internals. however, like zane has said, NOS w/ aftermarket chip can cause problems. research all you can at good automotive sites(summit, jegs, paws). to much NOS can literally MELT pistons and such, so to err on cautions side is a good tip until u get more experience.
check into cams, plugs, wires, anything ignition. that always helps. don't forget throttle body's, tb spacers and all as well. more air intake needs more fuel intake and vice versa.
and so on and so forth...............
mmmm..... nothin' like the smell of race fuel in the mornin'!!
YEP YEP!!!!