Manual Steering ratio, recommendations? 16 or 24 to 1?

165 tires, lightened front end...Unless you're especially feeble, I think you'll be ok with 16:1.

With 225s and a full-weight nose in my Dart Sport, I like the quick ratio box. Yes, it's heavy in parking lots but if you wanted a Cadillac, I'm sure you could have bought one.