whats the best way to clean the engine without harming anything? can you use a power washer and some degresser? if not, what else?

 

I'd also like to know the answer to this.

 

I wouldn't even think about a power washer on an LT1. With the LT1, you need to be very careful around the front end, due to the opti. The LS1 is not as water sensitive.

 

We had a guy powerwash his engine in a cadillac coupe deville, a couple thousand dollars later, he learned his lesson...

 

Wrap everything you're paranoid about with tin foil, spray built up greasy areas with 'foamy engine brite', for everything else use something like 'simple green' let sit until foam disapears, rinse with hose running at a trickle, (that's very slowly), dry with towels or drive it dry...
Caution: DO NOT get foamy engine brite on your car finish.