My friend is having some trouble with his firebird

[uracowman]

Sorry if this isn't in the right section but I hope you guys can help.My friend has a late 90's firebird.When he accelerates, sometimes it doesn't go past 30 mph and he hears a grinding/scratching type noise coming from the engine area.He also said that that the engine has died a few times.Anyone know whats up?

[BRICKMAN]

A4 or 6 speed?

[uracowman]

automatic

[VortechFRC]

could be a convertor problem, but does it shift ok?