I am doing some work on a friend of mines 01-03 motor which involves checking the valve lash. Is there anything special that needs to be done on these motor to check the lash or can I just follow the procedure for a standard cam motor?

 

The VVT is just a big complex cam gear, it shouldn't have anything to do with the valve lash.

 

Don't count this as a right answer, but nearly every import 4cyl motor I've worked on regardless of lifter/follower type was like 0.005-0.007 intake and like 0.007-0.009 on the exhaust. Maybe a hair tighter on the exhaust.

They are all pretty much identical as far as cams, rides directly on the cam bores, etc... The only things that change are followers/rockers on like hondas, buckets on mazdas, stuff like vvt. But those are all relatively minor differences. The overall structures are the same throughout all of them. The keys being Aluminum head, cast iron/steel cams (usually solid), overhead, similar rpm operating range, similar operating temperatures, similar oil used.