by sergei » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:19 pm
I can't be bothered reading the whole thread but noise could be gear back lash on manual transmission.
My ST165 does it (ST205 g/box), it is due to clutch with heavier centre springs.
Also very common with solid clutches/multi-plate clutches.
It would come as a rattle (similar to say a loose heat shield but slightly lower pitch), when decelerating in the gear. Press in the clutch noise goes away.
A lot of rally cars do that as well (obviously why).
Sometimes it could be heard in neutral while car is idling, if you press the gear stick gently into a gear but not engaging the clutch and not engaging the gear, the noise will go away while the synchros are preloaded.