When I first got the car at 94k it puffed smoke at start (as long as it was off for MORE than 30 sec), I called this normal cause its oil injected, so burn it off from when it last stopped. Or maybe a little leaking past the oil seals or something.... anyway, that's not the prob any more.

Recently (since 140k or so, now at 145k) it has smoked more when cold... much more. Start running down (when cold) the road and after 15 secs in 5th gear at 50mph (2500-3krpm) it starts smokin like hell. So I usually coast for a while to let it warm up more. Well it now will blow smoke whenever I get to or above 6k and shift (when at full temp of course); it also will backfire on occasion after the shift. Just a lot more smoke than i've ever seen come from it before.

So is this some seal letting loose? I know the engine isn't doing real well, i've got a leak into the waterjacket that i've fixed with an elaborate external system to keep air out of the cooling system.
Just seems like it's ready to die, but does anyone know what may be causeing this smoky operation?? or if it's a sign that she'll be dying soon?