Prepping the turbo (need to hunt down some flange nuts for the exhaust manifold):

 
Changing the the water neck o-ring and decided the neck needed a good clean:

 

Bit more cleaning:
 

 
Ordered a new coolant temp sensor and think I might order stoney hose replacement kits as I've got quite a few i'd like to change while im in here. Ideally I'd like a new water outlet too but they are pretty expensive.

Pulled out the rear corner window to try and clean up the over spray:
 

 
Also painted and fitted one of my new clear indicators:

My Lisle 36050 turned up:

 
And so did my Stoney Racing silicon hoses:
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Started replacing some hoses:

Some more hoses done:

 
Painted up the front brake caliper:

BC valve springs and titanium retainers in, with Gen3 buckets:

 
Had an issue with one of the valve stems being sunk, thought it was the spring. Sprayed some decarb in and did some lapping and it seems to be sorted now.
 
Also, make sure you follow the BGB when installing cams, I accidently over shot one of the retainers and snapped a cam shaft.
 
And just some more red hoses:

 
Trying to find replacement hoses for the intercooler pipes, looks like everyone just stocks blue and black now which is annoying.

When you say had an issue with a valve stem being sunk are you sure it's not bent. Should slip up and down in the guide and spin smoothly. When cam is in head it should never be placed down on bench as some of the valves will be depressed and can be bent.
Over shot retainer. Do you mean a cam bearing cap ? Cams can be quite brittle. They don't respond well to being dropped either. When you torque the bolts to hold the cam pulleys make sure to hold the cam by it's hex.
Did the Lisle 36050 tool do a good job? Easy to use when reassembling the collets or a waste of time?
Earlier you mention a collapsed valve spring. What was the go with that? All that stuff needs to be really spot on or it can cause major heart ache. Especially to the wallet.

Falcon
When you say had an issue with a valve stem being sunk are you sure it's not bent. Should slip up and down in the guide and spin smoothly. When cam is in head it should never be placed down on bench as some of the valves will be depressed and can be bent.
Over shot retainer. Do you mean a cam bearing cap ? Cams can be quite brittle. They don't respond well to being dropped either. When you torque the bolts to hold the cam pulleys make sure to hold the cam by it's hex.
Did the Lisle 36050 tool do a good job? Easy to use when reassembling the collets or a waste of time?
Earlier you mention a collapsed valve spring. What was the go with that? All that stuff needs to be really spot on or it can cause major heart ache. Especially to the wallet.

So, one of my buckets was sitting about 2mm lower than the rest. We, TonyMR2 and I, assumed this was due to a sunken valve spring. I bought the new springs and buckets off TonyMR2 and got stuck into it. I found the valve stem was "stuck" low. I got some decarb spray and gave it a little bit of love and it came loose although still sticky. Continued to work it up and down and lapped it on the head. It now shift just like all the other valves and the bucket seems to be up where it should be, snapping the cam means I haven't been able to measure the gaps yet to be 100% sure on that.
 
I did this all with the engine in the car so the Lisle 36050 was invaluable. TonyMR2 will hate this but I used a mallet to get them in. Push down hard with one hand to keep it lined up, bit it a bit of a tap with the mallet and it goes on easy peasy. Managed to replaced them all in maybe an hour or so.
 
As for the cam snapping, Im not really sure what they are called but the 4 retainers that hold the cam in place against the buckets. I picked up number 3 and put it on 4 (rookie mistake but whats done is done).

Falcon - the Leslie 36050 is a brilliant tool for 3sgte. Collets load into the tool and you lean the tool on the retainer / valve and job done :) Can be done with engine in / together.

Deevon - doing well on a list that started very small “why is my car not boosting” and has expanded to a full service and upgrades galore (cosmetic, service/reliability and performance).

Your stock Gen2 springs - old and one dead at 28 years of service, are now upgraded to new Gen3 BC. This set up offers slightly lighter valve train, titanium retainers and shin under bucket. Big difference is shim under bucket reliability longevity and improved spring pressure - to handle the extra boost and additional camshaft duration and lift that you are planning to run.

Keep at it

Thanks TonyMR2, if anyone needs advice this guy is an absolute wealth of knowledge.
 
 Few more hoses done:

 
And working out new fuel rail: