When the engine is cold (first 5 minutes after starting from completely cold), I get a fast/loud tapping starting at just over 2K rpm. Goes away completely when it starts to warm up. Doesn't happen below 2K. Could this be lifters? (I know first thing everyone thinks of is a lifter problem.) It doesn't sound the same as the cold piston slap that only happens at idle.

 

lifter/piston noise.

 

What kind of lifters?

 

They are stock.

Do leaky lifters make more noise when they're cold, or hot?

 

hot!.

 

try a crank bearing that is spun

 

What else would that do? Would oil pressure also be low? (Mine is fine.)