One thing everyone is not cluing in on, is the OP stated "Would get slight lifter noise also using Pennzoil at idle. No lifter noise with Valvoline". If it is not the oils fault, why would this be stated? While I do not think the oil is at fault itself, If it were to blame, could it be because perhaps one is on the 'thick' side of 5w-30, and the other is on the 'thin' side?