Your posts on the cam timing issue are interesting and useful -

If I understand correctly you turned an inadvertent error (losing track of the original sprocket position on the exhaust cam) into a fact-finding mission (which showed you won't damage the engine by adjusting the cam sprockets within their slot range), and got through it all with a properly performing engine and a chance to improve it.

Two questions come up, though - first, why are the sprockets made slotted? It seems unlikely the positions would need to be adjustable by several degrees to cover normal manufacturing tolerances of cams, lifters, timing belts, etc.

The adjustment may exist so that the engines can meet emission and economy standards in different markets (e.g. US California) and with different options (e.g. turbo or NA, differently timed fuel injection controls, etc.).

Also, I think you found the previous or default sprocket position to be centered. Have any of you who looked at their cam sprockets found them to be set some other way?

good luck!