I jiggled all the plug wires and made sure they were all on tight. One of them was actually stuck between the block and a loom. Engine runs much smoother now and seems to have a bit more pep. It looks like I've only been running on three cylinders and that's where the sound was coming from. Definitely misfiring and maybe a bit of crossfire. I think crossfire hitting the block from that one wire would be where the ticking noise was coming from, and the chugging/vibration could easily have been a dead cylinder. Can't believe I didn't figure this out earlier. I'll replace the plugs/wires/rotor/cap and let you guys know what happens.
all i can hear is some exhaust manifold leak, sounds like a broken or loose stud/bolt (or some gasket portion burned out and not sealing) or a crack on one of the 4.
I think you were 'hearing' my intake. It's open so it's louder than OEM. As far as I know I don't have any exhaust leaks, and plus, since when does an exhaust manifold leak make a clicking sound? I guess you didn't hear the clicking sound and the chugging that gets faster as RPM goes up? Try turning your volume up.
Sounds like you need some practice driving a stick, otherwise it sounds like my jeep
Sounds like you should have known I was driving that way on purpose to put heavy load on the engine and reproduce the sound so I could record it. I don't normally drive that way and I take your implication as an insult.