It's probably oil starvation from a level that is too low or pressure loss from a significant oil leak (like a spun oil filter).

 

It won't be normal wear. Previous owner may have allowed it to starve of oil several times or for a long stretch.

 

Yeah you're right. It's definitely not normal wear. It's also extremely unlikely that the oil pump just suddenly lost pressure. It's more likely that pressure loss was caused by an oil level below the L mark several times or for a long stretch of time (hard to quantify without knowing the facts).

 

SEND YOUR INJECTORS OUT TO HURST.
https://hurstinjectorservice.com/

They have pretty quick turn around times! I know it sounds crazy but our injectors can get REALLY LOUD, they can sound like a valve tick too because it's regular, changes with RPM speed and what not. See if the noise is more prevalent on the intake side, intake runners vs. the exhaust side, front vs. back.

 

Something thats happened more than a few times with these cars, engine survives a low oil event, but sometime down the line there is premature bearing failure.

On set seems to typically manifest when just driving down the road normally. Outta blue rod knock.

Low oil, vtec are a deadly combination.

But I agree, confirm its not something else first. Confirm rod knock before condemning engine

 

Oil analysis shows what?

-- Chuck