Thread: Ignition timing & cam timing

I have a question. To advance or retard ignition timing in the SR20 we rotate the distributor. What I don't completely understand is how this is related (or not related) to the exhaust camshaft - since it is connected to the distributor. I understand that ignition timing and cam timing are different things, but are they not related due to the way the SR20 was designed?

The distributor is referenced off of the exhaust cam but the intake and exhaust cams are still linked together by the timing chain. When you rotate the distributor you are changing when the ignition fires in relation to the crank.

Cam timing is physically changing the position of that particular cam on the chain in reference to the crank.