2G '98 GS bolt on mods, mild build, suggestions?

[Warborg]

Ok, so the story on this car is that I started to get the bug for a DSM after experiencing my friend's '97 GS that he built the motor from the ground up and turboed it, liked the style and feel of the car so started looking for one myself. After looking at a few disappointments from Craigslist I ran across an ad from of all places, Pick N Pull... He and I went there right when they opened and had him look it over as I knew he was very familiar, and he was impressed with the condition and how it ran/sounded (obviously, we expected something needing considerable work considering the source), and we picked it up for $1250 and it ran like a champ on the way home. Replace a taillight assembly and did a tune-up, and it passed smog and brake/lamp with flying colors... Everything original, owner's manual and maintenance logbook still in the glovebox... 174K miles, all fluids looked clean and no evidence of leaks (been driving it for a few weeks, haven't seen any sort of leak or smoke from the tail pipe or anything)... Here is a pic:

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So I have been working on fixing all the nickle and dime problems (broken door handle, hatch lifts, etc.)... But otherwise, it's running/driving great and bone stock other than the stereo. At this point, I would like to do a few mild mods just to make sure I'm getting all the pep I can out of it without really building it up for serious speed, so it will be limited to bolt-ons with keeping it legal or close to legal for CA smog. I've seen some suggestion threads and most of them end with "turbo it!" or "start saving for a turbo". I'm not going to lower it, I'm not going to turbo it... It's going to be a daily driver that I just want to have some fun with, I'm not going to race and it'll never see a track... So I have a list of what I was going to throw at it, and just wanted to know if anyone had additional suggestions to get the most out of it as a N/A DD (or yeah, and it's an A/T as well). What I have planned or have ordered:

Cold air intake (pipe/cone filter, maybe bypass filter to avoid potential hydrolock) (I know this won't be CA smog legal, but a pretty quick swap every 2 years)
SS Catback exhaust, 2.5" w/4" tip (no fart cannons, it's not a riding lawnmower)
Front strut brace bar
Prothane motor mounts.

So outside of that, is there anything else I should consider just to get the most out of the stock N/A engine? I know it's not going to be a speed demon which is fine, I'm content with just "quick"... Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[tylersevo]

IMHO: The 2.5" exhaust with a 4" tip is too much rice for negligible gains, plus it sounds awful. To each their own, but the car looks clean and you should keep it that way.

 

[Warborg]

IMHO: The 2.5" exhaust with a 4" tip is too much rice for negligible gains, plus it sounds awful. To each their own, but the car looks clean and you should keep it that way.

Well, the exhaust I ordered on the recommendation of my friend with the turbo converted GS, he's not rice either so hopefully it doesn't sound too bad... It's an N1 clone...

Past a few bolt-ons, I don't really want to make changes... I'm happy with the appearance (other than the front bumper needing some touch-ups)... No body kits, no tinting, no stickers, etc... Just wanted a few bolt ons to squeeze whatever potential it might have without major mods.