I'm trying to say what I can without expanding to much into where I am compromising our programs.
The M16 FOW is dependant upon port pressure and chamber pressure for the amount of energy that is released into the carrier.
All esle being equal the higher chamber pressure will actually retard carrier speed as it takes more energy to unlock it.
Looking at high speed video and bolt carrier velocity from Suppressed and Unsuppressed system - the data is transverse.
Suppressed guns actually unlock slower due to the higher chamber pressure - but have higher carrier velocity once they start to move.
Muzzle Mount cans versus BOTB/Reflex cans are also interesting to see the difference in.
The M16 FOW does not have a lot of room to play with the cam path angle - LMT's new Enhanced Bolt is a case in point, it delays unlocking but is really just chnaging the angle for a more agressive crash which delays it more than the few thousands extra travel.
You would need to alter the design of the bolt tail and firing pin to gain any real room to manuver as well as the bolt carrier itself.
Gas Systems being these days, the Carbine, Armalite Midlength, KAC "Battle Rifle/E3" Midlength, and Rifle Length.
The longer gas system will be able to give a longer "push" as opposed to a sharper one for shorter system. Ideally you want the longest gas system where you can have enough pressure to cycle the gun, and this is where a lot of 5.56mm Disapator guns run into troubles is there is not enough barrel length after the port to maintain pressure for reliable operation.
PRI tried with their "Fat Boy" gas tube to equate rifle length volume in a carbine length tube, and generally they work well in 16", 14.5" and 11.5" guns, but have problems in the 10.3-10.5 guns unless they are dedicated suppressed guns.
Grant Timberlake (of G&R Tactical) designed the softest shooting 10.5" suppressed gun I have shot, he used a LMT Enhanced carrier, small gas tube hole, and it runs well with a SF 556K suppressor, but will not lock the bolt back unsuppressed, this gun is also remarkably clean running, cleaner than an unsuppressed Hk416 over the same shooting schedule, I am however concerned that if it gets dity from outside elements (like a chopper ride in durka-durkastan) it will not cycle reliably even with the can.