im running AEM EMS and it pulls like crazy at high rpm smooth but every once in a while it has a hick up and that a sign to me the plugs fould up so i change them

 

That is one possibility, but a hiccup could also mean that there was a valve/spring problem as well. By hiccup do you mean like backfire noise? or there is just a lull in the power band, but then it starts to boost again in a split second with no noticeable noise?

 

like a slight idk how to describe it, but it starts boosting then a quick pause then continues and i only notice the noise at idle

 

I would def. take it into a shop and have the valves/springs inspected for corrosion and/or unusual wear patterns. With the ticking sound now, it changes with the throttle position, correct? Does it sound like all valves are ticking when you are listening under the hood or one in particular? Sure its coming from the valves and not the injectors behind them, just checking because i upgraded to larger precision injectors and after i started the car up i thought i heard valve ticking, but then realized that the injectors firing were just loud as sh*t...

 

Timing Belt Tensioner is becoming loose.

Thats my guess. Because it happened to me, and I could only hear it at idle and low RPM. $50 dollar for the part, and 1 hour to put it in.

Check the small stuff first before ripping into your engine.

 

Yeah, i guess check the timing belt and tensioning belt, I was assuming that the sound continued into the higher RPMs, he said he could hear it over his radio while driving... I wasn't recommending he rip his engine apart, just take the valve cover off and see if there is any unusual wear patterns on the cams or valves/springs

 

its just 1 or 2 valves and the car was recently in the shop for valve seals and lifters but the noise was the same as before. everything was checked when it was apart. timing belt tentioner was bad and was changed at the same time but noise still remains

 

wow... well then.. the installs done by a reputable import shop? Maybe they botched the install... my money was on the valves, especially if the noise went into the higher end of the power band, if it was only at the low end then aznevos thought would have been a better answer.... but with both replaced..... i might have to think about this one for a little... any other pertinent information? problems with the valvetrain that you didnt post?

 

about 6 months ago before cams were changed, previous exhaust cam snapped but no bent valves so we changed from hks 264 to hks 272 then the tick started

 

Are you positive none of the valves bent after the cam snapped? I would be amazed if that rod didn't do any damage to the valves OR the springs, and also you would have to make sure the timing was properly checked in case the belt skipped some teeth...

 

Stop messing around and let me diagnose it.
Bring it by so I can at least hear the car.

Sean

 

^ Word.

 

yes sir