Is there any particular type/brand timing chain set I should purchase for my engine? I currently have a new timing chain set that came from my comp cams 282S K-kit.

I would need it to be reliable and handle a good amount of torque/hp for years.

And about these roller thrust bearings... are they reliable? Do they actually help any? Is there any machine work normally required to install them?

I'd just install the set you have. Wouldn't touch a roller thrust bearing. If it ever exploded, where are all those tiny rollers going to wind up? If you "HAVE" to have a thrust surface, use a solid bushing. Mostly, don't obsess. How many scored blocks have you seen? I would drill a tiny oiling hole into the oil galley behind the cam gear, though.

How much torque/hp does a timing chain have to take?

My combo is in my signature. I might juice it with a 150 shot later too, so I guess around 600 hp/tq.

never seen or had a torrington bearing come apart behind a cam sprocket

I've heard nothing but negative things about torrington bearings and I just wanted to check as the quality of new parts seems to get better over time. I'll definately have a .030" hole drilled in the thrust surface behind the chain.

I just want this to be a reliable buildup. It'll be driven daily (though not much) and has to last for years.

I've thought of the gear drive route, but I don't like the sound they make and I don't like all the harmonics trasfered to my valvetrain... belt drives are out of the question.