3400 Dohc

[Bandit]

Hey guys, hoping someone can answer this question for me. It doesn't really relate to the Grand AM at all, so I figured this forum would be the right place...

At any rate, I have heard that on the 3400 DOHC engine, retarding the exhaust cam 13 degrees would increase power. This seems counter intuitive to me. Is anyone familiar with this that might explain exactly HOW this can increase power?

[TA^Guy]

Ok, I have no experiance with chaging the timing on DOHC motors but I'm pretty sure the theroy is based on the fact that exhaust flow creates a vaccume due to the scavaging effect. This helps draw in air/fuel while the piston is still up around TDC and not yet on a full downward sweep which will help incress lowend torque. This is why intake/exhaust overlap in cam specs is important.