head and cam ????

[2000dreambird]

ok guys my 00 bird only has 72,000 on it.
i was coming home from work monday and had to school a punk kid with a bmw m3 bosted, on what my tail lights look like. well after he got a good look at what they looked like we both got off the same exit talked for a few mins and were on our own ways...well when i get home i noticed i ticking noise, pop the hood only to hear a knocking under my drivers valve cover,i pulled it off today all seemed fine push rods looked good,springs,etc,etc..put the cover on started it still hear it so i can only think i have a lifter going bad WTF.........it almost sounds like the push rod has more space then it should and is bouncing between the lifter and rocker.
if sooooo now i have a reason to change the heads(was thinking ported ls6) and cam this bad ass bi!@h...i have ls6 intake,kooks LT's 1 7/8-3",ORY,ls6 vally,catch can,poly motor mounts,SPEC 3+,billet flywheel,been tuned but will need it again after swap.....my problem is i have no clue what to really go for as far as cam and heads...its a DD most of the year but i love a choppy idle, now i know thats not a make it or break it factor when buying a cam. It sees street way more then track. HELP!!!!!!!!

[c5z28]

I would post a vid or something, that or use a stethoscope and try and locate this new noise.