See, when I think of modifying the timing, to speed/retard it, I think about when I had cheap spark plugs and wires, and the plugs would misfire. It caused my CEL to come on and the dealership said the timing of the car would retard itself as a safety. It sucked when it did that, I had no power and the car would jolt until I had it fixed. So, what are the pro's/cons of getting adjustable cam gears, regrinding the rods, and getting some sort of electronic controller? What does it all do?

http://www.howstuffworks.com/ignition-system1.htm

It seems we're on a big howstuffwroks trip around here ;)