...next question if I want a faster core synch up ...
If you want very fast sync you could import your private keys into the electrum wallet.
http://docs.electrum.org/en/latest/faq.html#can-i-import-private-keys-from-other-bitcoin-clients
The dev gave these instructions explaining how to split your coins using electrum. The instructions were for concerns about a different fork that never happened, but they should also be applicable to concerns about another fork.
http://docs.electrum.org/en/latest/hardfork.html?highlight=fork
Just as a quick question, does this need to be done before or after the hard fork?
Also, how do you know which node will be a "Core" one and which will be a "BU" one?
You don't need to do anything before a possible fork. If you don't move your coins you can split them using the wallet of your choice afterwards.
There's a place in the electrum settings where you can choose to manually connect to s specific node rather than use the default auto connect feature.
If there's no message from the server including the user agent in the console tab you can search for it's IP address at bitnodes. That site will tell you what type of node it is.
https://bitnodes.21.co/
Ah, thanks HI-TEC. I'll assume the type will be posted straight after the soft fork has happened as that site is updated quite frequently..