1998 Z24 engine rattle

I just picked up a 1998 z24. I owned a 2000 z24 about 4 years ago so I am familliar with the cars.

However the car I picked up has a strange engine rattle. It gets bad around 2200-3000 RPM then goes away until it hits those rpms again. It's like a loud banging/rattling. I am assuming it is the timing but I don't want to replace plugs/wires and have the timing adjusted if that's not it. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

So you think it's pinging ?

The word is my car needs a rebuild. I couldn't be more upset right now.