Check AP2 retainers..should they look like this?
 

I wanted to check out my ap2 retainers if they are broken since there were aggresive aftermarket cams installed by the previous owner and i am not sure if they could take the beating...if they look like on the pic...are they ok?

Nothing obvious to me. No cracks present obviously. They tend to appear on the underside first. The valve stem looks not to be sinking so chances they are not compromised. At least that one shown.

This is how mine look like..should be ok? Have a hard time telling since most of the images of broken ones are ap1 retainers and they look different on the inside...more flat compared to the ap2 ones...
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...3f2cf158e0.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...fe09e36bab.jpg

Had a hard time getting sharp images ...
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...ecd1fe1a51.jpg

Look fine to me.

They are fine, without even looking.

You will bend valves long long before you can damage an AP2 retainer.

Thanks for your input guys! So the ticking noise or louder valve train noise i have compared to my previous s2000s could be bent valves causing it? They seem to be a common issue...

Could be the valves need adjusting.

I've done that several times, did not get that much better. But i will give it another try!