Ok, ticking is very intermittent now. Most promenent when initially revving the car and while the engine is winding down. Ticking is sometimes consistent at roughly 1500-2000 rpms.

Ticking used to be far worse before change of VTC gears and springs. Ticking was also far more repeatable and predictable. Meaning, I could rev the car, wait about 10 seconds and it would start. Now, it's a total crap shoot!

One more thing I'm sure is related... When ticking I'm noticing power loss. Car idles perfect and oil pressure is within service manual specs (63-65 psi at 3k rpms).

I'm at witts end. I have no idea what it could be at this point. Mechanics stethescope seems to confirm top end of engine.

 

Bleed the lifters