I probably misinterpreted this sentence...by using the exhaust VVT on the intake side, you mean using the exhaust PULLEY GEAR, right? Not the exhaust SOLENOID.
Exactly using the exhaust gear open it up and shim it to what ever range you want that's what my friend did and halved the travel to be in the 15* range
Then had it set to a tested rpm to gain in both low and high range
Only reason for swimming was to not have the valves interfere with the pistons