Clutch click on up motion and other randomness

[bababooey]

Hey guys, thought I would pop on to these forums and hope that a couple of seasoned veterans can answer a couple of questions for me. If you can just bear with me as im a car newcomer.

I purchased a 1990 Celica GTR about a month ago for a drop in the hat. I believe this is the 5SGE 2.2 litre 5 speed. About 2 weeks ago I noticed that when the car is cold, approximately for the first minute of use when I release the clutch after moving up or down gears, theres a very slight thump sound, as soon as the cars slightly warm it disappears. Also when its cold when I start the car there is clunkyish kind of sound as the engine catches, once again only when its coldish. If I leave the car sitting for 2-3 hrs and start again, it will make the noise but never as bad as first thing in the morning. When started warm, it never happens.
Im not sure if these two things are related but they both happen when the car is cold or has been left sitting for a few hours.

Also there seems to be something up with the steering. Should I say its another little noise, it steers fine, it's just that especially when I take right hand turns, there are a couple of clicks that I can slightly feel running up to my hands via the steering wheel. Sometimes it happens sometimes it doesn't. I dont think its the CV joints because it doesn't do it when the steering wheel is at maximum extension only when taking even relatively shallow turns.

Beyond all that im quite happy with the car, no doubt its not the quickest thing out but its still got a bit of pep So I'm looking at just some relatively introductory mods that a newbie like myself can fumble through. I've gone and put a pod filter onto the air intake, the throttle reacts alot more responsively I think. I was wondering with the design of the Celica engine bay, if it gets relatively good ventilation as it is or if its worth rigging up some sort of cold air catch tubing to increase cold air into the area where the pod filter is breathing or if there is already some aftermarket piece of kit that does the same thing?
Is it worth getting an exhaust system for an NA Celica? I dont particularly want a riced out end tip, and I would prefer to have an muffler that does a really good job and I dont want to be heard a mile away. Also, CAT converters aren't a requirement here in New Zealand. Someone mentioned that considering the age of my Celica, the CAT converter is probably clogged anyway and not doing its job, so if thats the case will I get anymore performance benefits from removing it/getting a new one?

Im wanting to learn more about engines in general and the technologies present in cars, so I wont be bothering you fine people with questions in the future Are library books in general good? or is purchasing newer literature the way to go? Possibly a couple of recommendations to some websites anyone?

Thanks for the time taken to read this longish speal

[flex-appeal]

Couple of things - firstly the noise you described, if it is a slight rattling when you start up, and it disapears in a few seconds then dont worry about it. I found that Shell Helix 20W50 runs quite nicely and reduces these sounds, i get a bit of a rattle on startup and its worse in really cold weather. Luckily we dont get much of that in Perth
As for the steering, the occasional click from the power steering isnt anything to worry about , ive heard it on both the 5th gens i have driven. Mine also leaks a bit of fluid but its a very small amount and hasnt got any worse in 3 years.
I suggest you just drive it carefully and pay attention to the noises and levels of all the fluids until you get to know the car a bit better. Im guessing that everything will turn out to be fine after all.

[bababooey]

Fingers crossed its nothing too bad. Ill take it in for a bit of a lookover at some stage, as I dont really know enough yet to do a comprehensive examination myself. Thanks for taking the time to reply though