props to resurrection on this one...
lifter tick happens on all 3/s models except for 99's. appearently, they changed the lifters for that year. this is why 99 lifters are a popular mod.
for those who are looking for a cheaper solution, change your oil. i recommend mobil 1 supersny. 0w40, or 20w50 (if your car is especially noisy like mine). thicker weights of oil help muffle the ticking.
or you can add a bottle of gunk(tm) lifter silencer with each oil change.
i DO NOT recommend adding gear oil to the manifold.
-thadd.