Strange noise when engine cold

[Juffa]

There is a good chance that the noise you hear is one of the exhaust heat shields that has come loose. Raise the car and follow the exhast manifold down to where it joins the exhaust pipe you should see a outer casing around the exhaust pipe, this is the heat shield. It is attached by a spot weld. That spot weld has been known to break. There is a number of ways to fix it.

1. Get a large hose clamp and put this around the heat shield and then tighten.
2. Pull the heat shield back from the exhaust so even when it vibrates it won't rub (and make the noise) against the exhaust.
3. Fit a set of aftermarket extractos
4. Fit a turbo
Options 3 & 4 mean that the offending heat shield is removed as you need to remove that section of exhaust to fit these options.
Noisey lifters is usually a sign that the oil needs changing.
If she runs better warm that cold it could mean that;
1. The plugs and/or leads are due for replacement
2. The O2 sensor is due for replacement.

Just my 2c (excluding GST) worth.

J