Yes there are.
If it is acting like you are revving up, the torque converter has failed.
It probably overheated due to misfiring or poor condition of engine tune. This overheating causes the internal core of the converter to break up and rattle. Replace the converter but make sure the engine is tuned up properly and firing on all cylinders.
watch the rpms when you break stand the car
Try to locate the rattling noise. I would especially check the catalytic converters if the noise sounds like it is coming from underneath the vehicle. Usually throughout some time the honeycomb material inside them will break up from 'heat stress' and will rattle around there. In some cases it can get lodged int he pipe between the converter and the muffler blocking some of the path of the exhaust causing some major performance issues.
I assume you have the transmission out of the car. It has to be out to replace the torque converter. The old torque converter will just pull off, but you may have to spin it back and forth a couple of times. When you install the new one, slide it on the shaft and spin it back and forth while pushing it towards the transmission and it will slide back towards the transmission. You have to do this again, because it has two sets of gears that it has to engage. If it doesn,t slide back twice, you will never get the transmission to slide up to the motor correctly. You may get bolts in it, but you will break something trying to tighten the bolts. If the transmission does not slide up to the motor without a lot of force, you do not have the torque converter on all the way. If it does, you should be able to bolt the transmission to the engine fairly easily. Once the transmission is bolted up correctly, you can turn the flywheel to line up the three bolts that hold the torque converter to the flywheel. Make sure you torque the flywheel to converter bolts to the specified torque settings, and they will vary according to the specific transmission, usually around 45 FT LBS.
Check your catalytic converter, as it rattles badly when the insides break apart. Get a replacement at any parts store. If it is welded in, you will have to cut it out, close to the converter on both ends, with a hacksaw or torch (be careful with a torch!). Use whatever reducers and clamps are necessary to make the replacement fit tightly, make sure there are no exaust leaks. Or, take it to a shop that does exhaust work.
Breaking down a catalytic converter involves using high heat to burn off the precious metals inside, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. This process is typically done by professional recyclers who have the equipment and expertise to safely extract these valuable materials.
I had this happen to my 97 as well. Here were the break downs. Fluid was bad. Torque converter was bad. Transmission was bad also. Had to change all 3. Good luck.
The catalytic converter should be bolted onto the exhaust pipes. The bolts will have to be soaked in penetrating oil to be able to break them free, then you can replace the converter.
Take a close look at the catalytic converter shield. Also check your exhaust. It's held to the frame by two or three "rubber bands" that allow the exhaust to move with the car. After time, they break or become elongated and your exhaust can bang against the frame or the cat converter shield. The rubberbands are only a few bucks at the dealer and are easy to replace. Just make sure the tail pipe is not hot when you do it.
Breakaway torque is the amount of torque required to overcome the static friction of a stationary object and set it in motion. It is a measure of the minimum force or torque needed to break something free from its initial position.
Sometimes the heat shields around the outside of the converter break loose or rust out and causes a rattle noise.