CTi daily runner/project car

[Ruwaidm]

Good day everyone

Hope everyone is well.
Its been ages since I last logged onto the forum. Life has kept me busy but somehow did a 360 back to my love for cars but this time something I want to work on and get to where I want it.

So planning on buying a '91 Cti that currently has just a 272 cam (no flowing or porting) and branch/exhaust. The last few days I have being going through this forum and learnt alot from those random CTi threads and apologies for asking but would like to get some info please.

I would like to slow but surely start tinkering with this engine and add/swap out parts in the hopes of getting the car strong. im not expecting miracles as its NA but something that's just responsive and quick. A year or two from now I might go 2.0L 8v with throttles and proper head work but for now would like to start off with things like optimizing the air intake and TB. Where would you guys start with an engine like this considering it still needs to maintain drive-ability as it could be used as a daily.

Thanks in advance