diff --git a/api/api_full.go b/api/api_full.go
index f1dc51efc..dba59ad31 100644
--- a/api/api_full.go
+++ b/api/api_full.go
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ type ReplayResults struct {
 	Error   string
 }
 
-type SyncState struct {
+type ActiveSync struct {
 	Base   *types.TipSet
 	Target *types.TipSet
 
@@ -261,6 +261,10 @@ type SyncState struct {
 	Height uint64
 }
 
+type SyncState struct {
+	ActiveSyncs []ActiveSync
+}
+
 type SyncStateStage int
 
 const (
diff --git a/chain/blocksync/blocksync_client.go b/chain/blocksync/blocksync_client.go
index 6a770f4b1..494b2ec61 100644
--- a/chain/blocksync/blocksync_client.go
+++ b/chain/blocksync/blocksync_client.go
@@ -77,6 +77,14 @@ func (bs *BlockSync) GetBlocks(ctx context.Context, tipset []cid.Cid, count int)
 
 	var oerr error
 	for _, p := range peers {
+		// TODO: doing this synchronously isnt great, but fetching in parallel
+		// may not be a good idea either. think about this more
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return nil, xerrors.Errorf("blocksync getblocks failed: %w", ctx.Err())
+		default:
+		}
+
 		res, err := bs.sendRequestToPeer(ctx, p, req)
 		if err != nil {
 			oerr = err
diff --git a/chain/sync.go b/chain/sync.go
index 316e2e0a7..aff1e6cee 100644
--- a/chain/sync.go
+++ b/chain/sync.go
@@ -47,8 +47,6 @@ type Syncer struct {
 	// The known Genesis tipset
 	Genesis *types.TipSet
 
-	syncLock sync.Mutex
-
 	// TipSets known to be invalid
 	bad *BadBlockCache
 
@@ -57,12 +55,9 @@ type Syncer struct {
 
 	self peer.ID
 
-	syncState SyncerState
+	syncLock sync.Mutex
 
-	// peer heads
-	// Note: clear cache on disconnects
-	peerHeads   map[peer.ID]*types.TipSet
-	peerHeadsLk sync.Mutex
+	syncmgr *SyncManager
 }
 
 func NewSyncer(sm *stmgr.StateManager, bsync *blocksync.BlockSync, self peer.ID) (*Syncer, error) {
@@ -76,18 +71,26 @@ func NewSyncer(sm *stmgr.StateManager, bsync *blocksync.BlockSync, self peer.ID)
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	return &Syncer{
-		bad:       NewBadBlockCache(),
-		Genesis:   gent,
-		Bsync:     bsync,
-		peerHeads: make(map[peer.ID]*types.TipSet),
-		store:     sm.ChainStore(),
-		sm:        sm,
-		self:      self,
-	}, nil
+	s := &Syncer{
+		bad:     NewBadBlockCache(),
+		Genesis: gent,
+		Bsync:   bsync,
+		store:   sm.ChainStore(),
+		sm:      sm,
+		self:    self,
+	}
+
+	s.syncmgr = NewSyncManager(s.Sync)
+	return s, nil
 }
 
-const BootstrapPeerThreshold = 1
+func (syncer *Syncer) Start() {
+	syncer.syncmgr.Start()
+}
+
+func (syncer *Syncer) Stop() {
+	syncer.syncmgr.Stop()
+}
 
 // InformNewHead informs the syncer about a new potential tipset
 // This should be called when connecting to new peers, and additionally
@@ -124,9 +127,6 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) InformNewHead(from peer.ID, fts *store.FullTipSet) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	syncer.peerHeadsLk.Lock()
-	syncer.peerHeads[from] = fts.TipSet()
-	syncer.peerHeadsLk.Unlock()
 	syncer.Bsync.AddPeer(from)
 
 	bestPweight := syncer.store.GetHeaviestTipSet().Blocks()[0].ParentWeight
@@ -136,11 +136,7 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) InformNewHead(from peer.ID, fts *store.FullTipSet) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	go func() {
-		if err := syncer.Sync(ctx, fts.TipSet()); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("sync error (curW=%s, targetW=%s): %+v", bestPweight, targetWeight, err)
-		}
-	}()
+	syncer.syncmgr.SetPeerHead(ctx, from, fts.TipSet())
 }
 
 func (syncer *Syncer) ValidateMsgMeta(fblk *types.FullBlock) error {
@@ -389,6 +385,7 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) tryLoadFullTipSet(cids []cid.Cid) (*store.FullTipSet, erro
 func (syncer *Syncer) Sync(ctx context.Context, maybeHead *types.TipSet) error {
 	ctx, span := trace.StartSpan(ctx, "chain.Sync")
 	defer span.End()
+
 	if span.IsRecordingEvents() {
 		span.AddAttributes(
 			trace.StringAttribute("tipset", fmt.Sprint(maybeHead.Cids())),
@@ -396,9 +393,6 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) Sync(ctx context.Context, maybeHead *types.TipSet) error {
 		)
 	}
 
-	syncer.syncLock.Lock()
-	defer syncer.syncLock.Unlock()
-
 	if syncer.Genesis.Equals(maybeHead) || syncer.store.GetHeaviestTipSet().Equals(maybeHead) {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -759,9 +753,20 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) verifyBlsAggregate(ctx context.Context, sig types.Signatur
 	return nil
 }
 
+type syncStateKey struct{}
+
+func extractSyncState(ctx context.Context) *SyncerState {
+	v := ctx.Value(syncStateKey{})
+	if v != nil {
+		return v.(*SyncerState)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (syncer *Syncer) collectHeaders(ctx context.Context, from *types.TipSet, to *types.TipSet) ([]*types.TipSet, error) {
 	ctx, span := trace.StartSpan(ctx, "collectHeaders")
 	defer span.End()
+	ss := extractSyncState(ctx)
 
 	span.AddAttributes(
 		trace.Int64Attribute("fromHeight", int64(from.Height())),
@@ -784,7 +789,7 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) collectHeaders(ctx context.Context, from *types.TipSet, to
 	// we want to sync all the blocks until the height above the block we have
 	untilHeight := to.Height() + 1
 
-	syncer.syncState.SetHeight(blockSet[len(blockSet)-1].Height())
+	ss.SetHeight(blockSet[len(blockSet)-1].Height())
 
 	var acceptedBlocks []cid.Cid
 
@@ -852,7 +857,7 @@ loop:
 
 		acceptedBlocks = append(acceptedBlocks, at...)
 
-		syncer.syncState.SetHeight(blks[len(blks)-1].Height())
+		ss.SetHeight(blks[len(blks)-1].Height())
 		at = blks[len(blks)-1].Parents()
 	}
 
@@ -915,7 +920,8 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) syncFork(ctx context.Context, from *types.TipSet, to *type
 }
 
 func (syncer *Syncer) syncMessagesAndCheckState(ctx context.Context, headers []*types.TipSet) error {
-	syncer.syncState.SetHeight(0)
+	ss := extractSyncState(ctx)
+	ss.SetHeight(0)
 
 	return syncer.iterFullTipsets(ctx, headers, func(ctx context.Context, fts *store.FullTipSet) error {
 		log.Debugw("validating tipset", "height", fts.TipSet().Height(), "size", len(fts.TipSet().Cids()))
@@ -924,7 +930,7 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) syncMessagesAndCheckState(ctx context.Context, headers []*
 			return xerrors.Errorf("message processing failed: %w", err)
 		}
 
-		syncer.syncState.SetHeight(fts.TipSet().Height())
+		ss.SetHeight(fts.TipSet().Height())
 
 		return nil
 	})
@@ -1019,8 +1025,9 @@ func persistMessages(bs bstore.Blockstore, bst *blocksync.BSTipSet) error {
 func (syncer *Syncer) collectChain(ctx context.Context, ts *types.TipSet) error {
 	ctx, span := trace.StartSpan(ctx, "collectChain")
 	defer span.End()
+	ss := extractSyncState(ctx)
 
-	syncer.syncState.Init(syncer.store.GetHeaviestTipSet(), ts)
+	ss.Init(syncer.store.GetHeaviestTipSet(), ts)
 
 	headers, err := syncer.collectHeaders(ctx, ts, syncer.store.GetHeaviestTipSet())
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1033,7 +1040,7 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) collectChain(ctx context.Context, ts *types.TipSet) error
 		log.Errorf("collectChain headers[0] should be equal to sync target. Its not: %s != %s", headers[0].Cids(), ts.Cids())
 	}
 
-	syncer.syncState.SetStage(api.StagePersistHeaders)
+	ss.SetStage(api.StagePersistHeaders)
 
 	toPersist := make([]*types.BlockHeader, 0, len(headers)*build.BlocksPerEpoch)
 	for _, ts := range headers {
@@ -1044,13 +1051,13 @@ func (syncer *Syncer) collectChain(ctx context.Context, ts *types.TipSet) error
 	}
 	toPersist = nil
 
-	syncer.syncState.SetStage(api.StageMessages)
+	ss.SetStage(api.StageMessages)
 
 	if err := syncer.syncMessagesAndCheckState(ctx, headers); err != nil {
 		return xerrors.Errorf("collectChain syncMessages: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	syncer.syncState.SetStage(api.StageSyncComplete)
+	ss.SetStage(api.StageSyncComplete)
 	log.Debugw("new tipset", "height", ts.Height(), "tipset", types.LogCids(ts.Cids()))
 
 	return nil
@@ -1069,6 +1076,10 @@ func VerifyElectionProof(ctx context.Context, eproof []byte, rand []byte, worker
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (syncer *Syncer) State() SyncerState {
-	return syncer.syncState.Snapshot()
+func (syncer *Syncer) State() []SyncerState {
+	var out []SyncerState
+	for _, ss := range syncer.syncmgr.syncStates {
+		out = append(out, ss.Snapshot())
+	}
+	return out
 }
diff --git a/chain/sync_manager.go b/chain/sync_manager.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0e296d617
--- /dev/null
+++ b/chain/sync_manager.go
@@ -0,0 +1,369 @@
+package chain
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/types"
+	peer "github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p-peer"
+)
+
+const BootstrapPeerThreshold = 2
+
+type SyncFunc func(context.Context, *types.TipSet) error
+
+type SyncManager struct {
+	lk           sync.Mutex
+	peerHeads    map[peer.ID]*types.TipSet
+	bootstrapped bool
+
+	bspThresh int
+
+	incomingTipSets chan *types.TipSet
+	syncTargets     chan *types.TipSet
+	syncResults     chan *syncResult
+
+	syncStates []*SyncerState
+
+	doSync func(context.Context, *types.TipSet) error
+
+	stop chan struct{}
+
+	// Sync Scheduler fields
+	activeSyncs    map[types.TipSetKey]*types.TipSet
+	syncQueue      syncBucketSet
+	activeSyncTips syncBucketSet
+	nextSyncTarget *syncTargetBucket
+	workerChan     chan *types.TipSet
+}
+
+type syncResult struct {
+	ts      *types.TipSet
+	success bool
+}
+
+const syncWorkerCount = 3
+
+func NewSyncManager(sync SyncFunc) *SyncManager {
+	return &SyncManager{
+		bspThresh:       1,
+		peerHeads:       make(map[peer.ID]*types.TipSet),
+		syncTargets:     make(chan *types.TipSet),
+		syncResults:     make(chan *syncResult),
+		syncStates:      make([]*SyncerState, syncWorkerCount),
+		incomingTipSets: make(chan *types.TipSet),
+		activeSyncs:     make(map[types.TipSetKey]*types.TipSet),
+		doSync:          sync,
+		stop:            make(chan struct{}),
+	}
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) Start() {
+	go sm.syncScheduler()
+	for i := 0; i < syncWorkerCount; i++ {
+		go sm.syncWorker(i)
+	}
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) Stop() {
+	close(sm.stop)
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) SetPeerHead(ctx context.Context, p peer.ID, ts *types.TipSet) {
+	log.Info("set peer head!", ts.Height(), ts.Cids())
+	sm.lk.Lock()
+	defer sm.lk.Unlock()
+	sm.peerHeads[p] = ts
+
+	if !sm.bootstrapped {
+		spc := sm.syncedPeerCount()
+		if spc >= sm.bspThresh {
+			// Its go time!
+			target, err := sm.selectSyncTarget()
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Error("failed to select sync target: ", err)
+				return
+			}
+
+			sm.incomingTipSets <- target
+			// TODO: is this the right place to say we're bootstrapped? probably want to wait until the sync finishes
+			sm.bootstrapped = true
+		}
+		log.Infof("sync bootstrap has %d peers", spc)
+		return
+	}
+
+	sm.incomingTipSets <- ts
+}
+
+type syncBucketSet struct {
+	buckets []*syncTargetBucket
+}
+
+func (sbs *syncBucketSet) Insert(ts *types.TipSet) {
+	for _, b := range sbs.buckets {
+		if b.sameChainAs(ts) {
+			b.add(ts)
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	sbs.buckets = append(sbs.buckets, &syncTargetBucket{
+		tips:  []*types.TipSet{ts},
+		count: 1,
+	})
+}
+
+func (sbs *syncBucketSet) Pop() *syncTargetBucket {
+	var bestBuck *syncTargetBucket
+	var bestTs *types.TipSet
+	for _, b := range sbs.buckets {
+		hts := b.heaviestTipSet()
+		if bestBuck == nil || bestTs.ParentWeight().LessThan(hts.ParentWeight()) {
+			bestBuck = b
+			bestTs = hts
+		}
+	}
+
+	sbs.removeBucket(bestBuck)
+
+	return bestBuck
+}
+
+func (sbs *syncBucketSet) removeBucket(toremove *syncTargetBucket) {
+	nbuckets := make([]*syncTargetBucket, 0, len(sbs.buckets)-1)
+	for _, b := range sbs.buckets {
+		if b != toremove {
+			nbuckets = append(nbuckets, b)
+		}
+	}
+	sbs.buckets = nbuckets
+}
+
+func (sbs *syncBucketSet) PopRelated(ts *types.TipSet) *syncTargetBucket {
+	for _, b := range sbs.buckets {
+		if b.sameChainAs(ts) {
+			sbs.removeBucket(b)
+			return b
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (sbs *syncBucketSet) Heaviest() *types.TipSet {
+	// TODO: should also consider factoring in number of peers represented by each bucket here
+	var bestTs *types.TipSet
+	for _, b := range sbs.buckets {
+		bhts := b.heaviestTipSet()
+		if bestTs == nil || bhts.ParentWeight().GreaterThan(bestTs.ParentWeight()) {
+			bestTs = bhts
+		}
+	}
+	return bestTs
+}
+
+type syncTargetBucket struct {
+	tips  []*types.TipSet
+	count int
+}
+
+func newSyncTargetBucket(tipsets ...*types.TipSet) *syncTargetBucket {
+	var stb syncTargetBucket
+	for _, ts := range tipsets {
+		stb.add(ts)
+	}
+	return &stb
+}
+
+func (stb *syncTargetBucket) sameChainAs(ts *types.TipSet) bool {
+	for _, t := range stb.tips {
+		if ts.Equals(t) {
+			return true
+		}
+		if types.CidArrsEqual(ts.Cids(), t.Parents()) {
+			return true
+		}
+		if types.CidArrsEqual(ts.Parents(), t.Cids()) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func (stb *syncTargetBucket) add(ts *types.TipSet) {
+	stb.count++
+
+	for _, t := range stb.tips {
+		if t.Equals(ts) {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+
+	stb.tips = append(stb.tips, ts)
+}
+
+func (stb *syncTargetBucket) heaviestTipSet() *types.TipSet {
+	if stb == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var best *types.TipSet
+	for _, ts := range stb.tips {
+		if best == nil || ts.ParentWeight().GreaterThan(best.ParentWeight()) {
+			best = ts
+		}
+	}
+	return best
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) selectSyncTarget() (*types.TipSet, error) {
+	var buckets syncBucketSet
+
+	var peerHeads []*types.TipSet
+	for _, ts := range sm.peerHeads {
+		peerHeads = append(peerHeads, ts)
+	}
+	sort.Slice(peerHeads, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return peerHeads[i].Height() < peerHeads[j].Height()
+	})
+
+	for _, ts := range peerHeads {
+		buckets.Insert(ts)
+	}
+
+	if len(buckets.buckets) > 1 {
+		log.Warning("caution, multiple distinct chains seen during head selections")
+		// TODO: we *could* refuse to sync here without user intervention.
+		// For now, just select the best cluster
+	}
+
+	return buckets.Heaviest(), nil
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) syncScheduler() {
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case ts, ok := <-sm.incomingTipSets:
+			if !ok {
+				log.Info("shutting down sync scheduler")
+				return
+			}
+
+			sm.scheduleIncoming(ts)
+		case res := <-sm.syncResults:
+			sm.scheduleProcessResult(res)
+		case sm.workerChan <- sm.nextSyncTarget.heaviestTipSet():
+			sm.scheduleWorkSent()
+		case <-sm.stop:
+			log.Info("sync scheduler shutting down")
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) scheduleIncoming(ts *types.TipSet) {
+	var relatedToActiveSync bool
+	for _, acts := range sm.activeSyncs {
+		if ts.Equals(acts) {
+			break
+		}
+
+		if types.CidArrsEqual(ts.Parents(), acts.Cids()) {
+			// sync this next, after that sync process finishes
+			relatedToActiveSync = true
+		}
+	}
+
+	// if this is related to an active sync process, immediately bucket it
+	// we don't want to start a parallel sync process that duplicates work
+	if relatedToActiveSync {
+		sm.activeSyncTips.Insert(ts)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if sm.nextSyncTarget != nil && sm.nextSyncTarget.sameChainAs(ts) {
+		sm.nextSyncTarget.add(ts)
+	} else {
+		sm.syncQueue.Insert(ts)
+
+		if sm.nextSyncTarget == nil {
+			sm.nextSyncTarget = sm.syncQueue.Pop()
+			sm.workerChan = sm.syncTargets
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) scheduleProcessResult(res *syncResult) {
+	delete(sm.activeSyncs, res.ts.Key())
+	relbucket := sm.activeSyncTips.PopRelated(res.ts)
+	if relbucket != nil {
+		if res.success {
+			if sm.nextSyncTarget == nil {
+				sm.nextSyncTarget = relbucket
+				sm.workerChan = sm.syncTargets
+			} else {
+				sm.syncQueue.buckets = append(sm.syncQueue.buckets, relbucket)
+			}
+		} else {
+			// TODO: this is the case where we try to sync a chain, and
+			// fail, and we have more blocks on top of that chain that
+			// have come in since.  The question is, should we try to
+			// sync these? or just drop them?
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) scheduleWorkSent() {
+	hts := sm.nextSyncTarget.heaviestTipSet()
+	sm.activeSyncs[hts.Key()] = hts
+
+	if len(sm.syncQueue.buckets) > 0 {
+		sm.nextSyncTarget = sm.syncQueue.Pop()
+	} else {
+		sm.nextSyncTarget = nil
+		sm.workerChan = nil
+	}
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) syncWorker(id int) {
+	ss := &SyncerState{}
+	sm.syncStates[id] = ss
+	for {
+		select {
+		case ts, ok := <-sm.syncTargets:
+			if !ok {
+				log.Info("sync manager worker shutting down")
+				return
+			}
+			log.Info("sync worker go time!", ts.Height(), ts.Cids())
+
+			ctx := context.WithValue(context.TODO(), syncStateKey{}, ss)
+			err := sm.doSync(ctx, ts)
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Errorf("sync error: %+v", err)
+			}
+
+			sm.syncResults <- &syncResult{
+				ts:      ts,
+				success: err == nil,
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) syncedPeerCount() int {
+	var count int
+	for _, ts := range sm.peerHeads {
+		if ts.Height() > 0 {
+			count++
+		}
+	}
+	return count
+}
+
+func (sm *SyncManager) IsBootstrapped() bool {
+	sm.lk.Lock()
+	defer sm.lk.Unlock()
+	return sm.bootstrapped
+}
diff --git a/chain/sync_manager_test.go b/chain/sync_manager_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1eb85ec2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/chain/sync_manager_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+package chain
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/types"
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/types/mock"
+)
+
+var genTs = mock.TipSet(mock.MkBlock(nil, 0, 0))
+
+type syncOp struct {
+	ts   *types.TipSet
+	done func()
+}
+
+func runSyncMgrTest(t *testing.T, tname string, thresh int, tf func(*testing.T, *SyncManager, chan *syncOp)) {
+	syncTargets := make(chan *syncOp)
+	sm := NewSyncManager(func(ctx context.Context, ts *types.TipSet) error {
+		ch := make(chan struct{})
+		syncTargets <- &syncOp{
+			ts:   ts,
+			done: func() { close(ch) },
+		}
+		<-ch
+		return nil
+	})
+	sm.bspThresh = thresh
+
+	sm.Start()
+	defer sm.Stop()
+	t.Run(tname+fmt.Sprintf("-%d", thresh), func(t *testing.T) {
+		tf(t, sm, syncTargets)
+	})
+}
+
+func assertTsEqual(t *testing.T, actual, expected *types.TipSet) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if !actual.Equals(expected) {
+		t.Fatalf("got unexpected tipset %s (expected: %s)", actual.Cids(), expected.Cids())
+	}
+}
+
+func assertNoOp(t *testing.T, c chan *syncOp) {
+	t.Helper()
+	select {
+	case <-time.After(time.Millisecond * 20):
+	case <-c:
+		t.Fatal("shouldnt have gotten any sync operations yet")
+	}
+}
+
+func assertGetSyncOp(t *testing.T, c chan *syncOp, ts *types.TipSet) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	select {
+	case <-time.After(time.Millisecond * 100):
+		t.Fatal("expected sync manager to try and sync to our target")
+	case op := <-c:
+		op.done()
+		if !op.ts.Equals(ts) {
+			t.Fatalf("somehow got wrong tipset from syncer (got %s, expected %s)", op.ts.Cids(), ts.Cids())
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSyncManager(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	a := mock.TipSet(mock.MkBlock(genTs, 1, 1))
+	b := mock.TipSet(mock.MkBlock(a, 1, 2))
+	c1 := mock.TipSet(mock.MkBlock(b, 1, 3))
+	c2 := mock.TipSet(mock.MkBlock(b, 2, 4))
+	d := mock.TipSet(mock.MkBlock(c1, 4, 5))
+
+	runSyncMgrTest(t, "testBootstrap", 1, func(t *testing.T, sm *SyncManager, stc chan *syncOp) {
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer1", c1)
+		assertGetSyncOp(t, stc, c1)
+	})
+
+	runSyncMgrTest(t, "testBootstrap", 2, func(t *testing.T, sm *SyncManager, stc chan *syncOp) {
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer1", c1)
+		assertNoOp(t, stc)
+
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer2", c1)
+		assertGetSyncOp(t, stc, c1)
+	})
+
+	runSyncMgrTest(t, "testSyncAfterBootstrap", 1, func(t *testing.T, sm *SyncManager, stc chan *syncOp) {
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer1", b)
+		assertGetSyncOp(t, stc, b)
+
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer2", c1)
+		assertGetSyncOp(t, stc, c1)
+
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer2", c2)
+		assertGetSyncOp(t, stc, c2)
+	})
+
+	runSyncMgrTest(t, "testCoalescing", 1, func(t *testing.T, sm *SyncManager, stc chan *syncOp) {
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer1", a)
+		assertGetSyncOp(t, stc, a)
+
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer2", b)
+		op := <-stc
+
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer2", c1)
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer2", c2)
+		sm.SetPeerHead(ctx, "peer2", d)
+
+		assertTsEqual(t, op.ts, b)
+
+		// need a better way to 'wait until syncmgr is idle'
+		time.Sleep(time.Millisecond * 20)
+
+		op.done()
+
+		assertGetSyncOp(t, stc, d)
+	})
+}
diff --git a/chain/syncstate.go b/chain/syncstate.go
index 2a5ea6899..45aeba90c 100644
--- a/chain/syncstate.go
+++ b/chain/syncstate.go
@@ -32,12 +32,20 @@ type SyncerState struct {
 }
 
 func (ss *SyncerState) SetStage(v api.SyncStateStage) {
+	if ss == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
 	ss.lk.Lock()
 	defer ss.lk.Unlock()
 	ss.Stage = v
 }
 
 func (ss *SyncerState) Init(base, target *types.TipSet) {
+	if ss == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
 	ss.lk.Lock()
 	defer ss.lk.Unlock()
 	ss.Target = target
@@ -47,6 +55,10 @@ func (ss *SyncerState) Init(base, target *types.TipSet) {
 }
 
 func (ss *SyncerState) SetHeight(h uint64) {
+	if ss == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
 	ss.lk.Lock()
 	defer ss.lk.Unlock()
 	ss.Height = h
diff --git a/chain/types/mock/chain.go b/chain/types/mock/chain.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..09b37370a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/chain/types/mock/chain.go
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+package mock
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/address"
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/types"
+	"github.com/ipfs/go-cid"
+)
+
+func Address(i uint64) address.Address {
+	a, err := address.NewIDAddress(i)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	return a
+}
+
+func MkBlock(parents *types.TipSet, weightInc uint64, ticketNonce uint64) *types.BlockHeader {
+	addr := Address(123561)
+
+	c, err := cid.Decode("bafyreicmaj5hhoy5mgqvamfhgexxyergw7hdeshizghodwkjg6qmpoco7i")
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+
+	var pcids []cid.Cid
+	var height uint64
+	weight := types.NewInt(weightInc)
+	if parents != nil {
+		pcids = parents.Cids()
+		height = parents.Height() + 1
+		weight = types.BigAdd(parents.Blocks()[0].ParentWeight, weight)
+	}
+
+	return &types.BlockHeader{
+		Miner:         addr,
+		ElectionProof: []byte("cats won the election"),
+		Tickets: []*types.Ticket{
+			{
+				VRFProof: []byte(fmt.Sprintf("====%d=====", ticketNonce)),
+			},
+		},
+		Parents:               pcids,
+		ParentMessageReceipts: c,
+		BLSAggregate:          types.Signature{Type: types.KTBLS, Data: []byte("boo! im a signature")},
+		ParentWeight:          weight,
+		Messages:              c,
+		Height:                height,
+		ParentStateRoot:       c,
+		BlockSig:              types.Signature{Type: types.KTBLS, Data: []byte("boo! im a signature")},
+	}
+}
+
+func TipSet(blks ...*types.BlockHeader) *types.TipSet {
+	ts, err := types.NewTipSet(blks)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	return ts
+}
diff --git a/chain/types/tipset.go b/chain/types/tipset.go
index 13fb7e582..ca6941e5c 100644
--- a/chain/types/tipset.go
+++ b/chain/types/tipset.go
@@ -197,6 +197,10 @@ func (ts *TipSet) ParentState() cid.Cid {
 	return ts.blks[0].ParentStateRoot
 }
 
+func (ts *TipSet) ParentWeight() BigInt {
+	return ts.blks[0].ParentWeight
+}
+
 func (ts *TipSet) Contains(oc cid.Cid) bool {
 	for _, c := range ts.cids {
 		if c == oc {
diff --git a/cli/sync.go b/cli/sync.go
index da2dae8bd..b1b4efd0c 100644
--- a/cli/sync.go
+++ b/cli/sync.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"gopkg.in/urfave/cli.v2"
 
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/api"
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/build"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain"
 )
 
@@ -31,24 +32,26 @@ var syncStatusCmd = &cli.Command{
 		defer closer()
 		ctx := ReqContext(cctx)
 
-		ss, err := api.SyncState(ctx)
+		state, err := api.SyncState(ctx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
-		var base, target []cid.Cid
-		if ss.Base != nil {
-			base = ss.Base.Cids()
-		}
-		if ss.Target != nil {
-			target = ss.Target.Cids()
-		}
-
 		fmt.Println("sync status:")
-		fmt.Printf("Base:\t%s\n", base)
-		fmt.Printf("Target:\t%s\n", target)
-		fmt.Printf("Stage: %s\n", chain.SyncStageString(ss.Stage))
-		fmt.Printf("Height: %d\n", ss.Height)
+		for i, ss := range state.ActiveSyncs {
+			fmt.Printf("worker %d:\n", i)
+			var base, target []cid.Cid
+			if ss.Base != nil {
+				base = ss.Base.Cids()
+			}
+			if ss.Target != nil {
+				target = ss.Target.Cids()
+			}
+			fmt.Printf("\tBase:\t%s\n", base)
+			fmt.Printf("\tTarget:\t%s\n", target)
+			fmt.Printf("\tStage: %s\n", chain.SyncStageString(ss.Stage))
+			fmt.Printf("\tHeight: %d\n", ss.Height)
+		}
 		return nil
 	},
 }
@@ -65,19 +68,38 @@ var syncWaitCmd = &cli.Command{
 		ctx := ReqContext(cctx)
 
 		for {
-			ss, err := napi.SyncState(ctx)
+			state, err := napi.SyncState(ctx)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 
+			head, err := napi.ChainHead(ctx)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+
+			working := 0
+			for i, ss := range state.ActiveSyncs {
+				switch ss.Stage {
+				case api.StageSyncComplete:
+				default:
+					working = i
+				case api.StageIdle:
+					// not complete, not actively working
+				}
+			}
+
+			ss := state.ActiveSyncs[working]
+
 			var target []cid.Cid
 			if ss.Target != nil {
 				target = ss.Target.Cids()
 			}
 
-			fmt.Printf("\r\x1b[2KTarget: %s\tState: %s\tHeight: %d", target, chain.SyncStageString(ss.Stage), ss.Height)
-			if ss.Stage == api.StageSyncComplete {
-				fmt.Println("\nDone")
+			fmt.Printf("\r\x1b[2KWorker %d: Target: %s\tState: %s\tHeight: %d", working, target, chain.SyncStageString(ss.Stage), ss.Height)
+
+			if time.Now().Unix()-int64(head.MinTimestamp()) < build.BlockDelay {
+				fmt.Println("\nDone!")
 				return nil
 			}
 
diff --git a/node/builder.go b/node/builder.go
index ce647e822..02082a3e5 100644
--- a/node/builder.go
+++ b/node/builder.go
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ func Online() Option {
 			Override(new(dtypes.ClientDAG), testing.MemoryClientDag),
 
 			// Filecoin services
-			Override(new(*chain.Syncer), chain.NewSyncer),
+			Override(new(*chain.Syncer), modules.NewSyncer),
 			Override(new(*blocksync.BlockSync), blocksync.NewBlockSyncClient),
 			Override(new(*chain.MessagePool), modules.MessagePool),
 
diff --git a/node/impl/full/sync.go b/node/impl/full/sync.go
index a9d2d3aa5..b06d51da4 100644
--- a/node/impl/full/sync.go
+++ b/node/impl/full/sync.go
@@ -20,13 +20,19 @@ type SyncAPI struct {
 }
 
 func (a *SyncAPI) SyncState(ctx context.Context) (*api.SyncState, error) {
-	ss := a.Syncer.State()
-	return &api.SyncState{
-		Base:   ss.Base,
-		Target: ss.Target,
-		Stage:  ss.Stage,
-		Height: ss.Height,
-	}, nil
+	states := a.Syncer.State()
+
+	out := &api.SyncState{}
+
+	for _, ss := range states {
+		out.ActiveSyncs = append(out.ActiveSyncs, api.ActiveSync{
+			Base:   ss.Base,
+			Target: ss.Target,
+			Stage:  ss.Stage,
+			Height: ss.Height,
+		})
+	}
+	return out, nil
 }
 
 func (a *SyncAPI) SyncSubmitBlock(ctx context.Context, blk *types.BlockMsg) error {
diff --git a/node/modules/chain.go b/node/modules/chain.go
index fa77a40b8..25f71c84a 100644
--- a/node/modules/chain.go
+++ b/node/modules/chain.go
@@ -12,11 +12,13 @@ import (
 	blockstore "github.com/ipfs/go-ipfs-blockstore"
 	"github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p-core/host"
 	"github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p-core/routing"
+	peer "github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p-peer"
 	pubsub "github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p-pubsub"
 	"go.uber.org/fx"
 	"golang.org/x/xerrors"
 
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain"
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/blocksync"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/stmgr"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/store"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/types"
@@ -119,3 +121,22 @@ func SetGenesis(cs *store.ChainStore, g Genesis) error {
 
 	return cs.SetGenesis(genesis)
 }
+
+func NewSyncer(lc fx.Lifecycle, sm *stmgr.StateManager, bsync *blocksync.BlockSync, self peer.ID) (*chain.Syncer, error) {
+	syncer, err := chain.NewSyncer(sm, bsync, self)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	lc.Append(fx.Hook{
+		OnStart: func(_ context.Context) error {
+			syncer.Start()
+			return nil
+		},
+		OnStop: func(_ context.Context) error {
+			syncer.Stop()
+			return nil
+		},
+	})
+	return syncer, nil
+}
diff --git a/tools/stats/rpc.go b/tools/stats/rpc.go
index 32943c16f..c2131b480 100644
--- a/tools/stats/rpc.go
+++ b/tools/stats/rpc.go
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ import (
 	"net/http"
 	"time"
 
-	"github.com/multiformats/go-multiaddr-net"
+	manet "github.com/multiformats/go-multiaddr-net"
 
 	"golang.org/x/xerrors"
 
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/api"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/api/client"
-	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain"
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/build"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/store"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/types"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/lib/jsonrpc"
@@ -50,15 +50,15 @@ func WaitForSyncComplete(ctx context.Context, napi api.FullNode) error {
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return ctx.Err()
-		case <-time.After(30 * time.Second):
-			state, err := napi.SyncState(ctx)
+		case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
+			head, err := napi.ChainHead(ctx)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 
-			log.Printf("Stage %s, Height %d", chain.SyncStageString(state.Stage), state.Height)
+			log.Printf("Height %d", head.Height())
 
-			if state.Stage == api.StageSyncComplete {
+			if time.Now().Unix()-int64(head.MinTimestamp()) < build.BlockDelay {
 				return nil
 			}
 		}