Yea, gonna take the time to clean everything. Already cleaned the front timing cover and one valve cover. Thinking about painting the valve covers with some high heat gloss black. Should I clean the pistons up? What do yall use to clean them? Just a wire wheel and a drill?

I prefer methanol injected while in boost. Keeps things looking nice.

Lol, well I'm not boosted yet so. I'm thinking some simple green and a brush

You got some carbon or is it just some coloring?

It's some carbon.

Just in case any of you were wondering what the difference was between the stock timing chain and the LS2 timing chain was, Here it is
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...p/IMAG0077.jpg


Also, Just got back from the dealer with the oil pick-up tube o-ring, Its is a little different. The left one is the stock and the right one is the new one.
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...p/IMAG0078.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...p/IMAG0081.jpg
I test fitted it in the oil pump and it looks like it might work. Its Gm part #12557752.

I traded the blue oring for the updated red one. Thing fought me the entire time. Does it go all the way into the oil pump? There is still a little bit sticking out.

Got the drivers side head on and torqued. reinstalled the Pacesetters with some header studs. all thats left is the balancer, waterpump, passenger side head, intake mani, oil, coolant, and thats about it. Have to wait till Wed to get the head bolts for the passenger side head. Dealership wanted $165 for the set. So it'll be on the road again around Thursday.

some pics of the installed head and the header studs. Their the stainless steel ones on ebay for about 30 bucks. Looks like they will work pretty well.
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...p/IMAG0093.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...p/IMAG0094.jpg
and the oil pickup o-ring
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/u...p/IMAG0090.jpg

Comin along nicely! I can't wait to see some videos once you get it all squared away! The race is on to see who can bang out a 13.5 first! haha.
You'll be there before you know it! I hope I can get a converter in there before the season is out. I wont make it without one.

Your build is definitely much more impressive, but I have the weather on my side here in the North East!

Looking good cant wait to here that thing idle and rev it will be a beast!