Super hard to diagnose this off of this, it is a miracle I even saw this, should have sent this via a PM.

Anyways, I would hook it up and see if the cams are phasing. If not, you have either a VCT solinoid that is gunked up, an oil passage between the VCT solinoid and the VCT gear gunked up, or, your VCT gear is messed up and you need to replace it.

My Driver's side VCT gear was shot after my motor build and ticked like this. I replaced it and no problems, and gained 30hp.

 

Interesting to see this. I was questioning the same thing, going to SOHO Motorsports in two weeks for a new exhaust, leak down test, and injectors/tuning on the new motor. My motor w/ C8 cams ticks loudly also. I thought maybe I have a small exhaust leak or something. I inspected VCT solenoids, and they're clean, new engine block so I doubt anything is gunked up. I replaced timing chain, and tensioners. Cam gears were fine. May be normal. Not sure why it ticks so loudly. 289whp/269wtq, doubt anything is gunked up.

 

What kind of Pistons you recomend to have on some kelford cams 182/172 on stock 350z?