Please help me diagnose engine noise (with video)

[Performance Red]

I recently built and installed a built PI 2v for my 96 GT Coupe and now I am having some noises that I am not exactly sure what it is, my first thought was piston slap, but i removed each spark plag wire 1 at a time and the noise did not change at all, so any help you guys can give would be greatly appreciated, any chance it could be the oil filter? I heard something about that possibly making noise. It almost sounds like it has a cam in it (which it doesnt), but i paid very close attention to making sure the timing was right, it drives smoothly, I havent done any WOT runs or anything until i get the sound diagnosed. It is a constant tick that never goes away except I cant seem to hear it above 2000 due to the exhaust. Its loudest near the underside of the drivers side door. Here is what I have it narrowed down to:

1 Piston Slap - Pulled each plug wire 1 at a time and the noise did not change at all. The internals were balanced by livernois motorsports and the block was prepped for the internals. (I dont think this is it)

2 Spun Bearing - Doesnt sound like other spun bearings I have heard, not really sure how to test for it, engine maybe has 45 mins to an hour of run time.

3 Oil Filter - Not sure if that could even be a reason but I think I read something about it somewhere.

4 Exhaust Leak - Again not sure how to check for it but could be a possibility

Well sorry for the long post and thanks for any help I get

video 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4WIMOlsbLE

video 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRC6PBHHHwQ

video 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOOL5pIy3BY

Edit: Engine keeps throwing P1445 code which means Purge Flow Sensor Circuit High Input, Im not sure what that means.

 

[Warrior 102]

Sounds like is not running on all 8 cylinders

 

[Performance Red]

If it was not running on all 8 cylinders, wouldnt it be throwing a misfire code?

 

[Shiroelex]

It should, but it doesn't always. I had a completely dead COP not even show up. The noise sounds too defined to be an exhaust leak to me. It almost sounds like an old pushrod engine with the rockers too tight. You should consider getting an automotive stethoscope, and see if it's louder near the heads.

 

[Performance Red]

I just bought a stethoscope and will check it in a little bit and keep you guys posted, if it is in the head what would your guess be?

 

[Performance Red]

Well after playing around with a stethoscope, I think I have isolated the noise to the drivers side head. The reason I say this is when I put the stethoscope on the block around where the sound is loudest I dont hear anything abnormal. Then I tried the drivers side header and the noise was alot louder there, the closer I got to the head the louder it got, although I was never able to pinpoint a location on the head, I am pretty sure that it is coming from there, now does anyone have any guesses as to what it could be? I would assume its not an exhaust leak at the header, but how would I know for sure?
It also is running extremely rich right now, with a PI engine swap is a tune required? Thats not my main concern at the moment, but I am still curious.
Any help on this is appreciated, I would like to get the engine all sorted out and running properly before winter.

 

[the98stang]

Well after playing around with a stethoscope, I think I have isolated the noise to the drivers side head. The reason I say this is when I put the stethoscope on the block around where the sound is loudest I dont hear anything abnormal. Then I tried the drivers side header and the noise was alot louder there, the closer I got to the head the louder it got, although I was never able to pinpoint a location on the head, I am pretty sure that it is coming from there, now does anyone have any guesses as to what it could be? I would assume its not an exhaust leak at the header, but how would I know for sure?
It also is running extremely rich right now, with a PI engine swap is a tune required? Thats not my main concern at the moment, but I am still curious.
Any help on this is appreciated, I would like to get the engine all sorted out and running properly before winter.

I don't think a tune is required for the PI swap, but a tune wouldn't hurt.

I don't think it's piston slap because like you said, you pulled the spark wires and the noise still stayed. Do you have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge by any chance? That would be a huge help. Because if the problem is related to the pistons/rods/bearings, the gauge might fluctuate.

I would just take it to a shop and have it checked out. There not much we can do for you by just a video clip. One time I had an exhaust leak that was so bad it sounded like rod knock. When I posted a vid of my car, every one said my engine was f**ed . Anyway, just drive it like a grandma until you find out what that noise is. Good luck.