OP be like


What's Chilton's??

 

Take this the right way but don't put anything but another Nissan VQ motor in the car. Whatever is in it now just put a replacement motor from a salvaged car or do an engine rebuild on your block.

An LS, JZ or HR swap is far beyond the scope of your abilities (and I say that respectfully) and (unless your ridiculously loaded) the cost wont be worth it.

JHC brings up good points on the compression and leak-down test that I'd pay a professional to do and then see what it would cost to put a new engine in the car versus a rebuild.

but talk to a trusted independent mechanic

 

Had similar tick in the wife's G35, but it was ONLY for a minute and went away and hasn't come back since (knock on wood)...in my case more than likely a stuck lifter.

Another thing to do before professional help is to use a car stethoscope, it will help you pinpoint the location of the sound, based on that location the knowledgeable peeps may be able to discern whether it is lifter noise or spun bearing. I would think a spun bearing the noise would be lower in the block.