Hi Ryguy913
Here's an old thread about the chest area, which you might find interesting:
http://dharmaoverground.wetpaint.com/thread/2872310/The+heart%2Fchest+area+and+it´s+importance+in+vipassana
Tingling "energy vortexes" and 2-dimensional visualizations synching up with the breath can be one of the many landmarks of A&P territory. I wouldn't go by any single such landmark, however. Are you familiar with the "progress of insight" map?
Anyway, any such phenomenon can be noted. I don't expect my noting to release anything or do anything beyond noticing. My attitude, which has served me well so far, has been "whatever presents most strongly, I note it". I also prefer fast noting over slow noting, for insight.
Right effort - which definition do you use? The fourfold one? Usually, I get more out of using the three broad divisions of the eightfold path (sila, samadhi, panna) than the fine-grained eight categories: I find it easier to slot an experience along the lines of "this is a matter of morals" or "this is about concentration" or "I could use this for investigating the truth" than "right livelihood" or "right concentration". I can always drill down into the path-factors or their definitions when I find it necessary.
Since you mentioned nimitta - I tend to reach concentration states, stable nimitta and so on, when tuning into slow vibrations, getting into the groove, doing slow noting, doing "buddho" on the in- and out-breath and so on. Quick noting doesn't have this tendency, with me at least.
I don't have any practical experience with the particular set of instructions by Ven. Ajahn Lee which you referred to. His advice to go for the strongest sensations, but not to be led around by them, seems very sound, as is to be expected

Cheers,
Florian