Digital BW, The Print

I am a new member and this is my first post to this group.  I have 
been inkjet printing for about six months.  I am using a 1280, CIS 
and PiezographyBW and have been quite satisfied with my recent 
results and printer "up time" after a tough first few months sorting 
out all the normal issues.

I am still not sure of a few PS workflow issues regarding bit size.  
Following suggestions I have seen on various posts, I am doing major 
tonal adjustments (levels and curves) in 16 bit mode and then saving 
a working copy (just in case!)  I then convert the file to 8 bit for 
sharpening, if needed, and any final cosemetic fixes like spotting.  
I am assuming the major advantage of changing to 8 bit is file size 
and speed, as the tools I normally use at this point also work in 16 
bit mode.  Are there other advantages to converting to 8 bit?  Do I 
give anything up by not staying with 16 bit right through to the 
printing process, other than the ability to better tweak tonal 
values if necessary?

Thanks, in advance, for any help you can give me with this issue.  
Following this group from the sidelines has been a great help in 
getting my digital darkroom efforts off the ground.

Val Brunell