If you are at much elevation above sea level and your hills are more than a couple of percent grade, you are probly just enjoying life with a NA 1.6.
If your compressoin is good, your cam isn't worn, your fuel is good, your exhaust is clear, your intake is clear, your fuel system is tight, your assorted static timings are right,
your injectors spray well, and your pump advances as it should (that one is of note), your brakes aren't dragging, your alignment isn't wonky,
and you aren't carrying a ton of weight, that's getting to be about all there is to a NA motor.
People speak well of the gov mod, read up.
Otherwise save your pennys for a turbo if the truck is worth it to you.
One of the reasons I strive for ideals with these things, is without the turbo you got nothing but optimization left.
There is a marked difference between a NA 1.6 that runs "ok", which don't take much, and one that runs extremely well.
They are both slow, but the latter is enjoyable. At least to me. I've had both.
Trans gearing for your lifestyle/terrain is a thought as well.
I think personally if you put a (well) rebuilt pump on there and open the exhaust up you'll have a more enjoyable ride.
Assuming you aren't at 6K feet and trying to climb 7% grades and all the other bases are covered.
