Rhinoman, Are you saying that the HP and Torque curves will increase slightly at one end of the curve, but decrease from the other, if you advance or retarding the cam?  

Yeah thats right. If you calculate total power as the area under the torque curve then you can gain a bit of top end at the expense of some bottom end OR you can gain a bit of bottom end at the expense of a bit of top end but for small adjustments the area under the torque curve doesn't change. Thats the theory anyway, in practice it doesn't always work out. Theres more potential with a 16V as you can alter the intake timing independant of the exhaust but you always need to be a bit vareful as you will be reducing valve to piston clearances on the overlap

 Theres more potential with a 16V as you can alter the intake timing independant of the exhaust but you always need to be a bit vareful as you will be reducing valve to piston clearances on the overlap

On a SOHC?  

Thanks Guys.

Lots of info to make sense of.  I guess that giving it a whirl may be the best way to find out.

There is clearance between the piston and valves with a standard lift cam, so re timing it shouldn't cause any major problems.  I found this out after having a timing belt break.

Rather than spend all that time and effortmessing with the valve timing...start with something more effective, like a low restriction exhaust and good airfilter. You'll be happier with the overall result

Zag

Thanks Zag, I've already got headers, straight though fiberglass packed muffler and 2" all the way.  The Air filter is a K&N when on road, I find that it doesn't filter that good on dusty trail.

I'm just looking for that bit extra to turn the 31's.  

hey fity

    check out the info on my engine thread about cams, more power needs more lift and more duration...be careful too much makes a rever not a torker

Zag