VTC gear noise usually goes away when the car gets warm, but that sounds more like a knocking sound. Does the sound come from the top front of the engine? This problem is typical after installing aftermarket valvesprings. I've seen people mistake that with lifter noise but it's a completely different sound. If you can post a video or a sound recording it would help. If you think this could be your problem there's a way to check by grounding the vtc solenoid and if the noise stops the vtc gear is bad.
