VE Calais L98 noise 

Was lifters. Needed lifters, replacement cam, and eventually an oil pump.

What was the source of the noise? I have an L98 making the exact same noise.

Lifters without a doubt you need to rebuild the motor

Did you find out what the problem was? mine sounds the same. I havent had it looked at yet

Anyone figure out what it was?

Ahhh yes, the good old lifter fail on the l98. Good old GM.. I had 2 collapse and replaced them with ls7 lifters as well as a new diff as that failed, a new oil pump as that failed, timing chain done at 93,000 cause that failed, New harmonic balancer cause that failed( tore off itself) the list goes on.By far the Worst car ive ever owned and ive owned some old shit boxes and they are far more reliable then my SS..