just calc'd out how much i lost from the machining. had .008" taken from the head, .004" from the block and went to the 1.2mm HG. total loss is .017905" or about .45mm. so yea, i guess one could get away without the cam gears. considering .45mm would be about 1/2 to 1* of timing (?), and thats pretty small beans.
im getting them so i can fiddle with the lobe separation angle. after the super itll be an big advantage.
yep, stock is good. if it aint broke, you havent driven it hard enough yet!