What are the best mods for the $?

Bang out the cats on the stock exh/cat back?

Modify stock intake/carb/K&N?

Lower temp thermostat?

Adjust ignition timing?

Fun with porting?

What's stock RWHP on a '84 GSL?

 

Looks like you already listed it all
The main power restriction on a stock 1st gen are the factory cats. Replacing them with the RB cat replacement pipe would be the single biggest power gain the car will have or have one made at a muffler shop at less expense. Hollowing them out would be free. Drilling the stock air cleaner would be free. The engine operates best with the stock thermostat in place.
Stock RWHP would be around 85 ?

 

Porting an engine is quite expensive coz you need a full engine rebuild.

 

Start with the exhaust. If you port first, but have the stock (restrictive) exhaust - you're just setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

Headers, and complete exhaust.
Hands down, the single mod with the most bang.

 

ditto

-Error402

 

If I go with less restrictive exh and opened up air box, do I have to re-jet the carb? Be specific.

What's a good brand for a full exh system? Headers to tip. How much $? How much power increase?

85 RWHP stock? Seems like more.

Leave timing alone? Is it even adjustable?

 

EXH.. gotta be racing beat!! especially if you can get it for $250! .. pwr increase.. rb claims about 20%.. my butt dyno tells me it's definately faster.

 

I'm ready to take the plunge and improve one or both of my stock 12A machines. So I figure the RB exh hdr and cat. Mazdatrix describes it as 'gray market', meaning it's a CA smog-maybe. Anyone have good/bad experience passing the CA smog?

I suppose I gotta pull the carbs and intakes and ratsnest. Anything else?

B