Noticed when I upgraded from the 151R battery to the bigger 51R with more cranking amps that I don’t hear the VTC rattle at start up anymore. I think the extra cranking amps provides more force and doesn’t allow the VTC to rattle. I even went through the winter without the rattle in which it was the worse. Did anyone try this and notice the same effect?

 

I have a 51r and still get the vtc rattle.

 

Same here. Upgraded from 151R to 51R a couple years ago. Made no difference.

The grinding noise is most obvious at cold startup. Warmer weather + more CCA might temporarily ameliorate the grinding noise, but I bet when temps drop again, you'll hear it.