Clicking noise

I was driving home today, and I had gone about 4 miles (I was fortunately 2 minutes away from home) when as I applied the brakes the car shook as it came to a stop. I thought it was wierd, so I went and tried to get back on the gas, but the car would barely reach 4,000 rpm even when I tried mashing the pedal to the floor. I come to another stop sign and the car once again shakes as it's stopping and then won't even get up above 40mph.

I got home andI turned the engine off, then I had to run and get my sister and I noticed that when I started the engine there was a clicking sound that wasn't there before. A loud click, I can't really describe it, I'd have to make an audio file. But it was repetitive and the higher the RPMs went, the louder the sound. I turned the engine off, then back on, hoping that it was just a temporary thing. Thinking the valves might be clicking or something from lack of oil, I went ahead and changed the oil (it was close to 3000 miles anyways) but so far it hasn't helped.

The transmission isn't shifting too well either, but the car is a 97 Eclipse GS Nonturbo Automatic w/ overdrive. So any ideas guys? I'm probably going to take it to the shop next week, but I'm hoping it's something minor so that I don't have to.

IBut it was repetitive and the higher the RPMs went, the louder the sound.

When you increased the RPM's did the sound just get louder or did it become more frequent?

Well...Both actually. At this point it's useless because about 300 feet from the house the engine blew. Apparently, from what I can tell, it was coming from the valves. Now I have to get the engine rebuilt or get a replacement...I wonder if I could convince the guys at the shop to put in a GST motor... :evillol: