Efficiency, emissions, weight, and packaging. More cylinders means more parts, such as more valvetrain components, more stuff rotating, etc. More cylinders adds more internal engine drag, which lowers efficiency. V6s are awesome in engine packaging (assuming there’s no turbocharger involved), as they are practically a perfect cube in the engine compartment. Their shorter size makes it easier to shove a larger transmission and maybe a hybrid motor or two. High revs are also not great in the emissions department.

And most importantly, most customers are the types who wants an instant kick in torque. Reving out the engine is seen as “lag” or “sluggishness”.

Scratch a line? Would that just simply make a mark? My problem is that the trigger wheel would slip while the engine is running, especially under high RPM use.

Continuation of: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/12hweim/update_07_mazda_3_found_the_cause_for_the_p0016/

So the code came back, and this time, the camshaft is detected to be 30 degrees off, even with the valve cover adjusted. After looking at several reference photos, I’ve concluded that the trigger wheel on the camshaft has spun, causing the false misalignment detection. I’m able to clock the trigger wheel by tapping it with a dead blow, but I need a way to prevent it from spinning. One aftermarket cam has the trigger wheel tack welded to the camshaft. Another has the entire circumference welded. I want to get a second opinion before committing to pulling out the welder. A replacement camshaft is not in my budget right now, so this is something I’m doing as a long term temporary solution until I can afford to cam the engine.