3rz adjustable cam gear

http://www.lceperformance.com/Adjustable-Cam-Gear-2RZ-3RZ-Fits-on-Intake-Cam-p/1022009.htm

Is anyone running one of these? LCE and Paradice Racing makes one.

I'm chasing after some power and economy, as my truck still doesn't feel quite right even after a valve job. I am wondering if having the head surfaced retarded the cam timing enough to notice. Assuming a 2" radius, skimming 0.040" would retard the timing about 1.15 degrees. This is just estimating of course. I don't remember exactly how much the machine shop took off, and I don't have the radius of the cam gear handy.

There is also potentially stretch due to wear in the timing chain, which would also retard the timing.

So my question is - has anyone run one of these (and/or replaced a timing chain) and found it to make a noticable difference?

 

YES surfacing the head will retard timing, as will chain wear. i used one of these on a 22RE i built years ago, and it did make a difference.

thing is, just having the gear and the ability to adjust is only part of it, setting it right is a process and requires a degree wheel and patience. Tossing the gear on and advancing 2° may not do what you want. Cam specs can vary from what printed on the card, the world is not perfect.

EVERY engine can benefit from dialing the cam, some more than others. Do it right, do it once.
That being said, when i did head gaskets on the 3.4 in my 4Runner, heads were planed .0012, when i mounted the cam gears back i found there was a few thousands "play" in the dowel and slot the dowel fits, i turned the gears advance against the dowel and set them there, didn't have the time or resources to actually dial them in with the degree wheel and fab offset bushings. truck runs well 3 years later

 

I think I'm going to try the gear. Waiting until their black friday sale.