stock timing myth

[jeffnichols]

hey guys I have a question. I am going to be replacing my stock timing chain here in a couple days and one of the guys at work told me that there is a way to advance of retard the cam timing to gain some extra power in diffrent power bands. So is this true? Can you install the stock timing chain diffrently to gain power? He said that it was as simple as installing the chain a tooth forward or so from where it says stock. And if there is what do I do and what base timing do I set it to. Will it affect smog restrictions in california?
thanks for the help.