Kelford camshafts, Toyota 1JZ-GTE VVT-i
Kelford is a New Zealand camshaft manufacturer with roots in Christchurch dating back to 1968. Its profiles range from upgrades for street-driven cars to fully built race engines. Choose the cam around the rest of the engine and its intended use, rather than simply picking the longest duration.
This selection is for the Toyota 1JZ-GTE VVT-i engine. Profile differences, spring recommendations and required modifications are detailed below.
Technical specifications – available profiles for this engine
Profile V229-A
Street profile for the 1JZ-GTE VVT-i, with good throttle response, quick spool and more low and mid-range pull. Suits the stock turbo or a 54–58 mm upgrade. Retain stock boost and rev limit with stock springs. KVS109-1JZ springs are recommended for up to 7500 rpm and 30 psi boost.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.25mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 8.95mm | 8.95mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 8.70mm | 8.70mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 248° | 248° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 210° | 210° |
| Suggested centre lines | Vari | 116° |
| Valve lift at TDC | – | 0.06mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile V229-B
Street profile for the 1JZ-GTE VVT-i with a 54–64 mm turbo upgrade. Good throttle response, quick spool and more low and mid-range pull. Retain stock boost and rev limit with stock springs. KVS109-1JZ springs are recommended for up to 7500 rpm and 30 psi boost.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.25mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 9.60mm | 9.60mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 9.35mm | 9.35mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 260° | 260° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 222° | 222° |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 50 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 8 BTDC |
| Suggested centre lines | Variable / VVT | 116° |
| Valve lift at TDC | – | 0.26mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile V229-C
Street, circuit or drag profile for a single 60–70 mm turbo. Focused on mid-range pull and throttle response, retaining VVT-i. KVS109-1JZ springs are recommended up to 8000 rpm and 30 psi boost.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.25mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 9.90mm | 9.90mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 9.65mm | 9.65mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 264° | 272° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 228° | 232° |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 52 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 0 TDC |
| Suggested centre lines | Variable / VVT | 116° |
| Valve lift at TDC | – | 0.94 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile V229-D
Versatile race profile for the 1JZ-GTE VVT-i. Retains good throttle response while offering more top-end pull and peak power than V229-C. Suits a single 64–76 mm turbo and E85. Recommended springs: KVS109-1JZ.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.25mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 10.20mm | 10.20mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 9.95mm | 9.95mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 272° | 278° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 236° | 240° |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 60 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 0 TDC |
| Suggested centre lines | Variable / VVT | 120° |
| Valve lift at TDC | – | 0.94 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile V229-F
High-lift race profile for the 1JZ-GTE VVT-i with alcohol-based fuel and a turbo of at least 72 mm. VVT-i helps retain throttle response. The fast valve motion requires shimless buckets or a shim-under-bucket conversion, such as KCF-229 DLC buckets. Head machining may be required for cam clearance. Recommended springs: KVS109-1JZ-T.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Duration (checking height not stated) | 282° | 286° |
| Valve lift | 11.00mm | 11.00mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Checking heights are shown with the duration figures. Net lift is the net valve movement specified by the manufacturer, while cam lift is listed separately. IVO/IVC denote intake valve opening/closing and EVO/EVC exhaust valve opening/closing. BTDC/ATDC mean before/after top dead centre, and BBDC/ABDC before/after bottom dead centre.
Installation and profile selection
Confirm the exact engine version, valvetrain design and the modifications required by the profile. Check cam timing and valve-to-piston clearance during installation. Springs, lifters and other supporting parts mentioned with a profile are not included unless the profile explicitly states that they come with the kit.
Examples of related vehicle applications
- Toyota Soarer JZZ30 1JZ-GTE VVT-i (1996–2000)
- Toyota Chaser / Cresta JZX100 1JZ-GTE (1996–2001)
- Toyota Mark II JZX100 / JZX110 1JZ-GTE (1996–2004)
- Toyota Verossa JZX110 VR25 (2001–2004)
- Toyota Crown Athlete V JZS171 (1999–2003)
- Toyota Mark II Blit JZX110 1JZ-GTE (2002–2007)
The list covers versions with the specified engines only. Exact fitment and required modifications depend on the selected profile, cylinder head, lifters and timing system.
Suomi

