Does anyone know how Ford is creating the Atkinson cycle in our engine?

[Mrinohk]

I know that an Atkinson cycle can be accomplished a few different ways. 

 

I also know that our intake valve stays open a bit into the compression stroke to make it happen but I was wondering if anyone knew if that is accomplished using a special camshaft or if it's handled by the VVT solenoids on a more normal camshaft, or some other solution. Looking at photos of our cylinder head online it looks like there's something on the intake timing sprocket that isn't on the exhaust one but I don't know if it's the responsible component.

 

Either way I'm hoping to try and, at least at some point in the future, revert to an Otto cycle (and retune accordingly) and hopefully squeeze a bit extra power out of it. If it's controlled by the VVT solenoid on the intake side it might be really simple to just lock it in a position where it'll get the most air into the cylinder and close for the whole compression stroke. If I need a new camshaft for it then so be it. Just figure when I don't need this car as a daily driver it would be fun to try and make it a semi-capable, if slightly underpowered and large, track car.

 

If no one here knows then I might find myself with a removed valve cover tryna figure this out.

[Noah Harbinger]

I don't check in nearly often enough anymore (probably a good sign given my car's over 10 years old), but I will enjoy reading if you post more!