retarding timing posibilities?

[Mid Life Crisis]

I have a 2002 camry with the 2AZ motor. Upon doing a engine scan test I saw that the VVTI will adjust the timing between 5-35 degrees advanced. I am an old school wrench that can't comprehend 35 degrees. How does it keep running? I then went to my dad's who has a stock camry (2004) and his readings are the same. We used to always retard our hot rods to get more power below 0 degrees and this car wont even get down to 0. Also, in the past I have gotten an error coe P0171 whih is the engine running too lean. which can be another advance timming issue.

Is it possible.... let me re-phrase that, has anyone ever moved the timing chain back one tooth on either the intake/exhaust cams or both? Seems to me that the VVTI would still be able to adjust, but it would be more in the -5 to 20 degree range. ( a little easier for me to swallow as well as more power!) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[toyomoho]

I think this is ignition advance versus engine RPM. Advance is predicated on engine RPM. The higher the RPM, the more advance needed. Ignition and flame propagation do not happen instantaneously, or at least not under normal conditions. Conventional ignition systems also have this much advance.

I would not adjust valve train timing! One belt cog tooth would be way too much. There are automatic adjustable cam sprockets used on say V-8’s for hot rods that will adjust valve train timing. I am not sure how many degrees this setup allowed the cam timing to vary.