Andrea, i have changed the files since 10.8.2 release and most of the time shutdown takes 1sec, but, there are still unchangeable (a long story) daemons, that hang on exit, but this is one time of thirty may be, so dont pay attention if happens.. its a little bit complicated to explain, but you can rest easy, there is no harm for the system, and its easy to return as it was if you wish (in the end of the each command, change 1 to 20 and use them again)
forgive if there are any grammar mistakes, not a native english speaker,)