A method and system for operating a variable displacement internal combustion engine

A method of operating an internal combustion engine (102 having a variable cam timing mechanism 130,132 in cooperation with a plurality of deactivatable cylinders 103 and corresponding intake valves 112 includes the steps of scheduling a transition mode of the engine 102, determining a desired engine torque during the transition mode, determining a VCT phase angle based on the desired engine torque and operating the variable cam timing mechanism 130,132 in accordance with the VCT phase angle to provide the desired engine torque during the transition mode.