Welp, I finally did it. I money-shifted my car. Went from 5th to 2nd. It started ticking after I did that (I know these cars always have a mild ticking, this is new and much louder).

Attached a video, hopefully that helps. Sorry for wind noise, it's never not windy here.

The tick is louder on the manifold side (could be an exhaust leak?).

I don't think it's rod knock, but I'm not sure what it is.

Don't have money for a mechanic so I'm trying to figure out if I can fix it. Couldn't find any other posts on the forum about this so I'm hoping someone here can help.

Oil level is fine.

Car is a 2006 MX-5, 2.0L, 6MT.

Thanks in advance

 

In case anyone was wondering, I took the engine apart and there were impact marks from the exhaust valves on the pistons. Problem discovered.