Steering effort for manual 16:1 - should it be this high?

Excellent info again, guys. Thanks to all.
I'm really leaning toward that Borgeson power box. I can justify the sacrifices to my vision of the lightest, simplest possible setup if it means that I can enjoy driving a bit more an get an even quicker ratio in the process.

P.S. I love your steering wheel, do you remember where you got it?

It's a MOMO Prototipo. It shouldn't be too hard to find. They aren't cheap but the expense was worth it to me. I mean, a hand stitched Italian made steering wheel is right at home in a 1970s econo car. Am I right? :D

MOMO PRO35BK0S MOMO Racing Prototipo Steering Wheels | Summit Racing

That's a little less than I paid. Oh well.