This is why I like discussions like these. You have said a mouthful with this sentence. I'm not saying you can isolate LSA from duration. I'm saying when choosing an engine's "personality" I do consider LSA before duration. I could choose valve timing events based on what I know works for BALLS to the WALLS power but when you give LSA some serious thought then your perspective on RAW duration changes and things become a little clearer--at least the way I now see things. I consider duration and LSA somewhat interchangeable and know how to take some from here and stack a little over there to get what I want. Setting the events where you want and letting the chips fall where they may is a good way to the utmost in power potential but leaves so much more lacking-:refer to the title of this thread as to what will be lacking. J.Rob