I've been around here for a little while now and have noticed something. A lot of members (myself included) ask questions about port timing and they often go unanswered.
Is this because the modders here want to keep the things they have learned (through trial and error no doubt) to themselves. If that's the case who could blame them. I for one am a little apprehensive to alter port timing on an expensive jug without knowing what these changes are going to accomplish.
I have tried different timing numbers on several low dollar saws, and have had a great time attempting to learn all I can. For me, the learning to do a new skill is the best part.
I reached a point in playing with saws that I have more questions than I had when I started. The basic things I needed to know were easy to find using the search function. It's the details that I wonder about these days. And I'm sure I'm not alone.
For instance, will a longer intake duration raise rpm but cause a lose of torque? If I have amble blowdown time could I give up some of this by raising the transfer roof, in turn increasing torque and rpm? And this is the one I wonder about the most, If I have more exhaust duration than inlet should I increase intake timing to match? If I do this will I lose torque? Do certain numbers work better on a given size saw?
Some of these questions I've got pretty well figured out but know others are wondering about. What I'm hoping for is a good discussion on the pros and cons of altering port timing. Of course I'm trying to learn something here, but I'm also looking for a thread we can all use to trade info in for the good of our members.