In Search Of... Info On The Ls400 Engine

[gros pingouin]

Someone wants to give me an engine off a LS400. What he said is the engine spanned a timming belt and may have bent a valve. So, I was thinking on getting it (the bloke first wanted $50 for it but then said I can take it if I do take it ASAP), repair as needed, and use it as test bench for my FI experiments. So, before embarking in this adventure, I had a few questions:

o Is this engine an interference one?

o How expensive are parts for it (say vavles and pistons, in a worst case scenario)?

o Is it complicate, compared to other OHC engines? My only experienc with piston engines is a VW watercooled and a 240Z.

o Can I walk to the dealer and get its engine manual?

o What is its potential? How far can I push the engine before it falls apart? Does it like turbos?

[gros pingouin]

Answering some of my own questions, I found out that:

o It is an interferience engine. So, do not let timming belt snap unless you like bent valves. I wonder how much they cost.

o Dealer here wants $100 for the manual. Thanks but no thanks. Can we say eBay?

[Tlex]

I have read conflicting reports about the 1UZ-FE engine in the LS400s. I understand that they are non interference till the 94 model and interference thereafter. I am no expert, but do ask the cognoscenti.