Correct the BDE intake gears will not effect the Exhaust cam timing. With adjustable exhaust cam sprockets, changing the exhaust cam timing does change the ignition timing because your also advancing or retarding the CAS drive pin as you change the drivers exhaust cam timing. Any change to the exhaust cam timing is doubled on the ignition timing because the cams rotate twice for every crank revolution. Many things can effect cam timing when you put a engine together......The more you deck the block and/or mill the heads, the heads will sit lower and it will change cam timing. The wrong year lower manifold gaskets or the wrong lower manifold for the heads used will change cam timing on the passenger side head a lot. Many things are possible, but the CAS drive pin being a different setting on the JWT cams is common and not a concern ;-)
