Help me add 100 hp to a magnum 5.9 on a super tight budget

I'd go with nitrous as well, a 125 or 150 shot kit, sometimes, they pop up used, for a decent price. You'll have to add an electric fuel pump,and lines to supply the added fuel needed. For what it's worth, I wouldn't recommend driving the car you are racing, race, and drive home in it, as a sole means to get there and back. You might be best to rent a truck and trailer, be ause you just never know what could happen. Sure people do it, and you should be able to make an eight hour trip and have fun without a break down; but this will be racing. Expect the unexpected.

Yeah,the deal is I have to drive it because his modern car is capable of driving and racing and driving home.

I picked up an unknown nitrous setup at the swap meet. If it works at all it will be installed but I want to be closer to beating him without it. I have an electric pump with a bypass regulator and 3/8 fuel lines i should be okay to supply the extra fuel from the other outlet on the regulator,

I bet you could get a regrind HR cam and just tune it good and be right there. His biggest advantage is more gears in the trans. you may be short a bit on HP but you will have almost 400 torque.
Oh and make sure you have a sure grip and slicks as you will get hammered of the line.

thanks, I hadn't thought of slicks. I have a sure grip.

4.30 gears and a big cam!

Yeah If i had an overdrive tranny I would go for a lot more gear for sure.