SR20DET Head Ticking

[Tyler2Forty]

S13 blacktop freshly rebuilt 200 miles on it, I was driving the other day turning up the boost a bit and all of a sudden it started acting like it had a boost like, Went home and noticed it was making a very loud tick/Knock noise, I pulled the motor and checked the bottom end, Everything looked good, Nothing wrong with it, Threw it back in, I have good oil pressure and 150psi or above across all cylinders, Noise does not go away when unplugging coilpacks or injectors. Does not make noise while cranking. So far I have checked timing, rebled lfters, Changed spark plugs, Made sure all my shims were still in place as well as rocker arms. I cannot figure this issue out, Does anybody have ideas on what to check? Bad lifters maybe? I'm really scratching my head at this one. Noise increases with RPMS. Thanks!

[gaz_moose]

VVT rattle?

[rc1honda]

I'm actually having the same problem right now with my s13 sr.

I'm hoping it's a Lifter. In your case it could be the VVT or upper but chain guard of you left yours on.

Otherwise I've read could be a wrist pin on the piston.

[jr_ss]

He doesn't have VCT(not VVT)! It's an S13 SR.

OP post a video.

[SR20DETsilvia]

VVT rattle?
S13 redtop/black tops don't have have VVT..


I would thoroughly go through the cylinder head again especially if you describe it as a ticking not a hallow knocking noise.


Use a stethoscope to determine what side of the head its on and area its coming from to narrow down your search if you haven't already. Swapping lifters isn't too timing consuming. Make sure your chain guide at the top of your head isn't loose, chain hitting there if you are still running it.

Report back if you find it, good luck!

[Tyler2Forty]

So I went to move the car and clean up a oil mess from underneath of it and it stopped at idle and is now very quiet and not noticeable unless you are looking for it, I Believe it was a collapsed lifter, Going to replace all four on the exhaust side and see what happens. But in all honesty this is the only thing that makes sense.