How many of you out there running manual steering?

Swapped from power to manual 16:1 last summer...I don't have too many miles on it but it's totally fine. Yes, with wider than stock front tires, it demands considerable steering effort in parking lots, etc. On the road it feels great...well worth it for the clearance and to save some weight and a little bit of power.

My advice would be to swap the steering NOW before you drop the engine in. It will be vastly easier with some room to work.