My car is running, and I got rid of the DTC code 43 with new KS.
seems to run ok, but I'm just a little paranoid and wonder if I got my valve adjustment spot-on or not.
Without removing valve covers and all that neede to get to them, is there any way to determine that the initial valve adjustment is optimal?

I have forgotten what I initialy adjusted them to. I think it I did 1/4 or 1/2 turn past zero lash. I was recently recommended for my set-up to go 1/8 turn, but that doesn't seem to me what I did initially.

 

Well you want minimum preload that still works and you could try diffrerent adjustments if you had infinite patience and time and a way to measure it.

 

I've adjusted my valves anywhere from 1/4-3/4 turn, and noticed no difference.

 

It would be subtle and it would take back to back runs under the same conditions to tell any difference. With hydraulics, "looser is faster" is an old rule of thumb.
Factory preloads are for quietness and longevity between adjustments (not especially meant for the performance crowd).

 

I just took the car out for another spin around the block. I put ten miles on it at both highway speed and slower city driving. It seems to be driving just fine. At a few stoplights, in gear it tends to drop the RPM down to around 500 and sounds like it may stall. I guess I need to go back in and check that TPS. I hadn't done that yet since it seemed to be running so well.