1UZ cam and valve seals leaking, upgrade?

[Mr DOHC]

My mates LS400 has started to leak from the cam seals and now it's starting to blow some smoke on start up. We're looking at maybe putting some re-co heads on it.
What I want to know is, is there any mods like a small port job or stage one cams that we could do that wouldn't require any other mods? He doesn't want to do the ecu etc.

Also, I'm pretty good as pulling apart motors, but no with this much shit hanging off them, is there any special difficulties with this motor?

[stradlater]

Is it VVTI?

If not, the heads are fairly simple off the 1uz. I have heard of a 'stage one' type cam that doesn't require new valves - the set that I know of are custom made though.

I've never ported any of mine before, so I don't really know what to do there.

Mine's turbo with an aftermarket ECU and it still breathes well.

[Mr DOHC]

Early non VVTI motor. He isn't overly happy with the performance, so if he's spending the money on the heads he might as well get some performance out of it.

["Z" UTE]

Even without new camshafts, this poor old engine is going to cost the man near $800.00 just to fix the visible oil leaks let alone the smoke problem.

You will need the following parts:

Crank seal,

Cam seals,

Water pump and seals, do not even think about doing the other bits without replacing the water pump. Odds are not in your favour and you will be pulling everything apart within days just to replace that water pump.

Timing belt,

Timing belt idler and tension pulleys,

Possibly a new tensioner,

Good chance you will need new distributor caps and rotors, might as well toss in a new set of Iridium plugs and a new set of leads as well.

As you get to the last bit of reassembly you should fit a new accessory drive belt, and of course it goes without saying replace the tensioner pulley, oh damn I forgot that part is not available and you have to buy the whole tensioner another $300.00.

If the power steering pump has not been attended to, that will need a new "O" ring in the base of the reservoir.

The alternator if not already done, will need to have all the power steer fluid flushed from it and given a new set of brushes and regiulator.

So get your mater to budget at least $1300.00 plus the cams plus lotsa liquid refreshment for you or $500.00 -$700.00 labour at a shop.

If you do attempt this yourself, get hold of the pics and instructions from the 1UZ manual, without them, you are pissing into the wind.

cheers Chuck.