Could it be possible a 98 stock 360 magnum comes slightly retarded for emissions, and we can advance it to achieve the engines happy place performance wise and disregard emissions? Or did the factory nail it regardless of emissions?
Could be, I heard the factory ford 400 timing chain has a retard built in, don't know if true. But could see a lot of these smog engines having some built in.
Not saying don't do it but probably few have done what the OP is asking on a stock 360 cam so it's probably be a bit of a experiment. I find it a bit funny people only focus on one aspect of what advancing the cam can possibly do (Compression) and sold on the one merit no matter the effect on the whole. Overall probably a low risk experiment.