Aac would normally be something to look at first, but the fact that the afms are disconnected on a stock ecu is really odd. I would be sussing that out first. How does the car drive? Also the usual plugs and coil pack clean/grease and normally clean afms/solder but on your case get them plugged in! What happens if you plug then in?
Lol, sorry for suggesting you provide more info on your goal, then pointing you in the direction of a thread with all the info you need All the best with the build.
Have a look at simons14's car. I think he is at over 400rwkw on e85 on untouched bottom end, and definitely gives it a hard time. Kinda makes it hard to justify a rebuild! he has a build thread.
Spray some rp7 or penetr8 on the nuts on the studs before removing. Makes a huge difference. I have taken mainifold off mine , and on old vl turbo and not broken a stud.
There is a solenoid as part of the steering lines, on the pressure one. Some guys remove and blank it off, but I would think running a 12v ignition fed to it would be easier.
I machined up some spacers (just a thick washer really), you could use a stack of washers if you really had to. If you want I could make you some spacers out of ally, and get the bolts for you. pm if you want it.