Weird noise in 1st and 2nd

[DaveB]

My car just started making a pretty nasty sounding noise in 1st gear and the beginning of second gear. It almost somewhat sounds like pinging, but I'm almost positive it isnt. It sounds almost like a metal scraping metal. The frequency increases as the rpms go up, but it isnt going at the same speed as the engine. It speeds up until around 3k rpms and then it stops, or its too fast to hear. It also will make the sound in the beginning of second gear for about 2 seconds after I make a normal shift from first at 3k, bringing me into second at 2,500. These are the only gears it does it in, 3rd, 4th, and 5th dont do it. Also, there isnt a noticable vibration or anything when its making the noise. Now Im really hoping this isnt the transmission. FWIW I have a worn out clutch that is going to be replaced (new one sitting in my basement) and 2.5 year old plugs/wires/02s that are getting replaced with the clutch. So Im hoping the problem is caused by one of those, but I have a feeling it isnt. FWIW the problem first started last monday and has gotten slightly worse since then, and I have'nt been beating on the car at all, been driving like my grandmother.

 

[1TallMF]

Tough call. Does it sound more like its coming from the drivetrain, or is it more of an engine noise, like valvetrain related or a header leak?

One thing that comes to mind is perhapse your motor mounts are going tits up, causing the driveshaft to get misaligned or possibly rub the floorpan under heavy load. Pop the hood, start the motor and rev it briskly to see if the engine moves side to side excessively. Could also be the tranny mount, but I'm not sure how you'd check that though.

Good luck.