[dkrueger9]

OK, here is my thought on this situation.

The manifolds did help tremendously!!! I also feel that this engine is going to always have the ticking characteristics. Being that it is all aluminum and that the valve geometry and lift duration are variable. This engine also has that of what appears to be very similar to solid lifters. The chatter and or tick seems to vary with these conditions. If the engine is pushed harder, the lift and duration change as well as the ignition timing. It seems like the engine learns your driving habits and uses the VVT-I system to adapt. Like wise is driven ginger with moderate acceleration the system will not engage and it seems more quiet.

If I am even close to being right then this would be some of the different ticking or chatter we are all hearing about or experiencing. Now add the fact that normally Toyota injectors are a bit noisy and would resonate very well through aluminum. This in conjunction with noise emitions solenoids and timing chains add up to a noisy engine. The manifold suppress this noise that resonates through the block and heads and are well worth it if this chatter bothers you.

Well I could type all night! I hope this helps.

Despite the noise I must say that I am impressed with the performance of this engine and vehicle.