Hey guys!

i researched this topic for a while but could not find anything that was similar to my situation,

I have a running 1987 base model with a mild streetport that Ive been building for the past few years. I bought it for $700 in horrible condition and has now almost been entirely rebuilt. My main issue now is the crazy guy I bought it from chopped all the emissions off (not some, almost all of them, seriously he even blocked off where the thermowax would be on the back of the throttle body), and sawed of the exhaust. We have a new Racing beat exhaust but with no emissions it runs like hot garbage, I am now in a position where i either pay an arm and a leg to buy all the old emission equipment to get it to work right, or was possibly leaning to change to a different EFI setup, ITB or Carb if im going to spend a bunch of money anyway and time anyway. I am familiar with old mazda carb setups so that is not a problem, but i would just like to reach out and get thoughts from the peanut gallery to see what you all have experienced or would recommend. I would like for the car to have a bit more pep in its step, I dont really want to spend more than a few grand if i can avoid it but am open to opinions.

Just for some background the car is set up with
-mild streetport
-custom exhaust - no cat, RB presilencer, y pipe to dual RB mufflers
-No OMP, running premix instead
-no aux ports (not my choice, they were gone when I bought the car)
-No A/C
-aluminum hood
-aluminum 6 spoke 280zx wheels

I really appreciate y'alls help with this, im excited that its almost "done"!

 

its totally up to you. if it was mine, i would keep it EFI, you can pretty much start by just changing the ECU and harness if needed. you keep your injectors, manifolds, fuel system, ignition, etc etc.

i would spend the $20 and get enough stock stuff to make the 6 ports work, its worth it.

 

I'd rather have EFI as well. Did he completely remove the aux ports and block them off, or are they just disabled? If they're completely gone you might be able to find a lower intake if you ask around. If you get that, you can make the aux ports work again pretty easily.

A megasquirt standalone is like $500, and a carb is $300 plus the price of an intake ($400 last time I saw, maybe more now). Although I'll admit, setting up and tuning a megasquirt isn't exactly easy.

 

Word. A Haltech 550 seems incredibly inexpensive (under $1,000) if one wants to go that route.

Ludwig Motorsports can even build you a harness for $1,200 that is plug and play or mostly plug and play. Don't forget a wideband as well.

A nice efficient option that will give you everything you need for years to come.

Also check with your local tuners to see what they prefer.

Good luck!