Finally an update. After much debating, I decided to change out the old oil pump for a Texas Speed ported & polished LS6 unit as well as upgrade to an LS2 timing chain. I didn't have the patience to pull the motor, so I tried to do it in the truck. That ended up taking me 2 weekends since I cut the oil tube oring on the first try.
Anyway, got that done, and also changed out the valve springs for Comp 918's with TI retainers & hardened pushrods. Starting to look like a motor again. here are some pics of the progress:
New oil pump & timing chain:
New valley plate & knock sensors:
New springs & retainers:
All buttoned up (mostly!):
And new goodies from Santa!!:
