With a power steering box the faster ratio would be nice. The Borgeson steering box uses a 14:1 ratio, and people seem to like that swap.
The other way to get the faster ratio would be a steering quickener. That’s what the Hotchkiss Challenger uses. A 1.5:1 steering quickener installed into the steering shaft. That also gives a 12:1 final ratio, which is mentioned in a couple of the articles. Here’s a quickener
Howe Racing 5225 Basic Steering Quickener, 1.5:1, 3/4 Inch 36-Spline
The issue with the longer steering arms on an A-body is really clearance. Not everyone has custom headers or wants to run manifolds, and that makes the longer arms a problem.
On my car I don’t mind the 16:1 fast ratio manual steering, even with 275/35/18’s and +6.5* of caster. But I don’t think 12:1 would be a good idea with a manual box.