diff --git a/itests/deals_test.go b/itests/deals_test.go
index 3a6d9c868..af0ef68c4 100644
--- a/itests/deals_test.go
+++ b/itests/deals_test.go
@@ -239,23 +239,10 @@ func TestFirstDealEnablesMining(t *testing.T) {
 	// once the provider has mined a block, thanks to the power acquired from the deal,
 	// we pass the test.
 	providerMined := make(chan struct{})
-	heads, err := client.ChainNotify(ctx)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	go func() {
-		for chg := range heads {
-			for _, c := range chg {
-				if c.Type != "apply" {
-					continue
-				}
-				for _, b := range c.Val.Blocks() {
-					if b.Miner == provider.ActorAddr {
-						close(providerMined)
-						return
-					}
-				}
-			}
-		}
+		_ = client.WaitTillChain(ctx, kit2.BlockMinedBy(provider.ActorAddr))
+		close(providerMined)
 	}()
 
 	// now perform the deal.
diff --git a/itests/kit2/ensemble_opts.go b/itests/kit2/ensemble_opts.go
index c7edb99a6..f8bc81535 100644
--- a/itests/kit2/ensemble_opts.go
+++ b/itests/kit2/ensemble_opts.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ type ensembleOpts struct {
 }
 
 var DefaultEnsembleOpts = ensembleOpts{
-	pastOffset: 100000 * time.Second, // time sufficiently in the past to trigger catch-up mining.
+	pastOffset: 10000000 * time.Second, // time sufficiently in the past to trigger catch-up mining.
 	proofType:  abi.RegisteredSealProof_StackedDrg2KiBV1,
 }
 
diff --git a/itests/kit2/node_full.go b/itests/kit2/node_full.go
index b0b39b471..3dadb4d8d 100644
--- a/itests/kit2/node_full.go
+++ b/itests/kit2/node_full.go
@@ -4,8 +4,11 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/go-address"
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/go-state-types/abi"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/api"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/api/v1api"
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/types"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/wallet"
 	"github.com/multiformats/go-multiaddr"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
@@ -33,3 +36,50 @@ func (f *TestFullNode) CreateImportFile(ctx context.Context, rseed int, size int
 	require.NoError(f.t, err)
 	return res, path
 }
+
+// WaitTillChain waits until a specified chain condition is met. It returns
+// the first tipset where the condition is met.
+func (f *TestFullNode) WaitTillChain(ctx context.Context, pred ChainPredicate) *types.TipSet {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	heads, err := f.ChainNotify(ctx)
+	require.NoError(f.t, err)
+
+	for chg := range heads {
+		for _, c := range chg {
+			if c.Type != "apply" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if ts := c.Val; pred(ts) {
+				return ts
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	require.Fail(f.t, "chain condition not met")
+	return nil
+}
+
+// ChainPredicate encapsulates a chain condition.
+type ChainPredicate func(set *types.TipSet) bool
+
+// HeightAtLeast returns a ChainPredicate that is satisfied when the chain
+// height is equal or higher to the target.
+func HeightAtLeast(target abi.ChainEpoch) ChainPredicate {
+	return func(ts *types.TipSet) bool {
+		return ts.Height() >= target
+	}
+}
+
+// BlockMinedBy returns a ChainPredicate that is satisfied when we observe the
+// first block mined by the specified miner.
+func BlockMinedBy(miner address.Address) ChainPredicate {
+	return func(ts *types.TipSet) bool {
+		for _, b := range ts.Blocks() {
+			if b.Miner == miner {
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+		return false
+	}
+}
diff --git a/itests/sector_pledge_test.go b/itests/sector_pledge_test.go
index 62daa1add..8e87f2658 100644
--- a/itests/sector_pledge_test.go
+++ b/itests/sector_pledge_test.go
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
-	"github.com/filecoin-project/go-state-types/abi"
-
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/api"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/build"
 	sealing "github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/extern/storage-sealing"
@@ -60,7 +58,7 @@ func TestPledgeBatching(t *testing.T) {
 		client, miner, ens := kit2.EnsembleMinimal(t, kit2.MockProofs(), opts)
 		ens.InterconnectAll().BeginMining(blockTime)
 
-		waitTillChainHeight(ctx, t, client, 10)
+		client.WaitTillChain(ctx, kit2.HeightAtLeast(10))
 
 		toCheck := miner.StartPledge(ctx, nSectors, 0, nil)
 
@@ -117,7 +115,7 @@ func TestPledgeBeforeNv13(t *testing.T) {
 		client, miner, ens := kit2.EnsembleMinimal(t, kit2.MockProofs(), opts)
 		ens.InterconnectAll().BeginMining(blocktime)
 
-		waitTillChainHeight(ctx, t, client, 10)
+		client.WaitTillChain(ctx, kit2.HeightAtLeast(10))
 
 		toCheck := miner.StartPledge(ctx, nSectors, 0, nil)
 
@@ -145,13 +143,3 @@ func TestPledgeBeforeNv13(t *testing.T) {
 		runTest(t, 100)
 	})
 }
-
-func waitTillChainHeight(ctx context.Context, t *testing.T, node *kit2.TestFullNode, height int) {
-	for {
-		h, err := node.ChainHead(ctx)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		if h.Height() > abi.ChainEpoch(height) {
-			return
-		}
-	}
-}
diff --git a/itests/sector_terminate_test.go b/itests/sector_terminate_test.go
index b00337c7e..faf12228c 100644
--- a/itests/sector_terminate_test.go
+++ b/itests/sector_terminate_test.go
@@ -2,18 +2,15 @@ package itests
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/go-bitfield"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/go-state-types/abi"
-	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/build"
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/chain/types"
 	sealing "github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/extern/storage-sealing"
-	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/itests/kit"
-	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/node/impl"
+	"github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/itests/kit2"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
@@ -22,7 +19,7 @@ func TestTerminate(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Skip("this takes a few minutes, set LOTUS_TEST_WINDOW_POST=1 to run")
 	}
 
-	kit.QuietMiningLogs()
+	kit2.QuietMiningLogs()
 
 	const blocktime = 2 * time.Millisecond
 
@@ -31,42 +28,9 @@ func TestTerminate(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	defer cancel()
 
-	n, sn := kit.MockMinerBuilder(t,
-		[]kit.FullNodeOpts{kit.FullNodeWithLatestActorsAt(-1)},
-		[]kit.StorageMiner{{Full: 0, Preseal: int(nSectors)}},
-	)
-
-	client := n[0].FullNode.(*impl.FullNodeAPI)
-	miner := sn[0]
-
-	addrinfo, err := client.NetAddrsListen(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
-	if err := miner.NetConnect(ctx, addrinfo); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	build.Clock.Sleep(time.Second)
-
-	done := make(chan struct{})
-	go func() {
-		defer close(done)
-		for ctx.Err() == nil {
-			build.Clock.Sleep(blocktime)
-			if err := sn[0].MineOne(ctx, kit.MineNext); err != nil {
-				if ctx.Err() != nil {
-					// context was canceled, ignore the error.
-					return
-				}
-				t.Error(err)
-			}
-		}
-	}()
-	defer func() {
-		cancel()
-		<-done
-	}()
+	opts := kit2.ConstructorOpts(kit2.LatestActorsAt(-1))
+	client, miner, ens := kit2.EnsembleMinimal(t, kit2.MockProofs(), opts)
+	ens.InterconnectAll().BeginMining(blocktime)
 
 	maddr, err := miner.ActorAddress(ctx)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -79,11 +43,11 @@ func TestTerminate(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, p.MinerPower, p.TotalPower)
 	require.Equal(t, p.MinerPower.RawBytePower, types.NewInt(uint64(ssz)*nSectors))
 
-	fmt.Printf("Seal a sector\n")
+	t.Log("Seal a sector")
 
-	kit.PledgeSectors(t, ctx, miner, 1, 0, nil)
+	miner.PledgeSectors(ctx, 1, 0, nil)
 
-	fmt.Printf("wait for power\n")
+	t.Log("wait for power")
 
 	{
 		// Wait until proven.
@@ -91,17 +55,10 @@ func TestTerminate(t *testing.T) {
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
 		waitUntil := di.PeriodStart + di.WPoStProvingPeriod + 2
-		fmt.Printf("End for head.Height > %d\n", waitUntil)
+		t.Logf("End for head.Height > %d", waitUntil)
 
-		for {
-			head, err := client.ChainHead(ctx)
-			require.NoError(t, err)
-
-			if head.Height() > waitUntil {
-				fmt.Printf("Now head.Height = %d\n", head.Height())
-				break
-			}
-		}
+		ts := client.WaitTillChain(ctx, kit2.HeightAtLeast(waitUntil))
+		t.Logf("Now head.Height = %d", ts.Height())
 	}
 
 	nSectors++
@@ -111,7 +68,7 @@ func TestTerminate(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, p.MinerPower, p.TotalPower)
 	require.Equal(t, p.MinerPower.RawBytePower, types.NewInt(uint64(ssz)*nSectors))
 
-	fmt.Println("Terminate a sector")
+	t.Log("Terminate a sector")
 
 	toTerminate := abi.SectorNumber(3)
 
@@ -124,7 +81,7 @@ loop:
 		si, err := miner.SectorsStatus(ctx, toTerminate, false)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		fmt.Println("state: ", si.State, msgTriggerred)
+		t.Log("state: ", si.State, msgTriggerred)
 
 		switch sealing.SectorState(si.State) {
 		case sealing.Terminating:
@@ -140,7 +97,7 @@ loop:
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				if c != nil {
 					msgTriggerred = true
-					fmt.Println("terminate message:", c)
+					t.Log("terminate message:", c)
 
 					{
 						p, err := miner.SectorTerminatePending(ctx)
@@ -180,18 +137,11 @@ loop:
 
 	di, err := client.StateMinerProvingDeadline(ctx, maddr, types.EmptyTSK)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	for {
-		head, err := client.ChainHead(ctx)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		if head.Height() > di.PeriodStart+di.WPoStProvingPeriod+2 {
-			fmt.Printf("Now head.Height = %d\n", head.Height())
-			break
-		}
-		build.Clock.Sleep(blocktime)
-	}
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	fmt.Printf("End for head.Height > %d\n", di.PeriodStart+di.WPoStProvingPeriod+2)
+	waitUntil := di.PeriodStart + di.WPoStProvingPeriod + 2
+	t.Logf("End for head.Height > %d", waitUntil)
+	ts := client.WaitTillChain(ctx, kit2.HeightAtLeast(waitUntil))
+	t.Logf("Now head.Height = %d", ts.Height())
 
 	p, err = client.StateMinerPower(ctx, maddr, types.EmptyTSK)
 	require.NoError(t, err)