RE: Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 V6 | PH Review

RE: Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 V6 | PH Review

Author
Discussion

rjfp1962

7,699 posts

73 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
Really love my 2018 ND2 - But this V6 engine appears to be a perfect match for the MX-5, and it sounds great!
Huge credit for taking the leap in making this a career move, and wish Rocketeer every success...

zorba_the_greek

694 posts

222 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
Like that alot. great sounding car too.

Would option some kind of cage for it

mackie1

8,153 posts

233 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
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We currently have a nice Mk2 1.8 is special edition in good nick (the least amount of rust you could reasonably hope for) that I'd love to do this to.

This sold it to me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RM7qfje__U&ab...


callahan

890 posts

206 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
feef said:
Unfortunately the Busso is too tall to fit, and is quite a bit heavier.

I've got a 1UZ and associated bits to install in an MX5, but I've had to scrap my shell due to rust and lack of workshop space. Once I have somewhere to work on a car again, I'll resurrect that project biggrin
Good point. I've watched the film since I commented and it sounds great, so no need for the Busso.

I also just spent over an hour going over the readers car thread linked to earlier. Amazing to read about, but I would definitely go for the fully built version... I struggle to put shelves up straight.

griffdude

1,823 posts

248 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
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Have had a drive of 3 tuned Mx5s -
ITB MK1 which sounded great but was slow, SC Mk2.5 which just needed a little bit more power & a turbo MK2- the chassis really does have the capability to handle the extra power. Currently nearing the finish line on a home brew turbo build on my MK2.5, but this looks like it’s on the cards for a future conversion. I like the idea of the power plus the N/A throttle response.
Crucial to any project is nailing the inevitable rot.

350Matt

3,736 posts

279 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
doens't the Mk3 use a 2ltr duratec 4 pot ? in which case you can get that up to 240+ whilst keeping it NA and for a bit less than 5 K I'd say

still a nice conversion, I wish them well

borat52

563 posts

208 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
Great to see this and the BBR conversions breathing new life into the older MX5's.

Always been tempted by a quick MX5, be interesting to compare a 300+bhp BBR turbo with the V6 NA

paulguitar

23,289 posts

113 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
350Matt said:
doens't the Mk3 use a 2ltr duratec 4 pot ? in which case you can get that up to 240+ whilst keeping it NA and for a bit less than 5 K I'd say

still a nice conversion, I wish them well
I think they go up to about 225BHP N/A, through BBR, at least.

The 6 would provide the lovely soundtrack which is a bit part of the appeal to me.







unlikelymechanic

117 posts

67 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
I bought a kit from Bruce about 2 years ago and converted my 1990 NA - absolutely love it to bits!

I have fitted a Torsen LSD, big brakes and 6 speed box from a mk2.5 Sport Donor so have mk1 looks with better running gear!


knebworth01

161 posts

120 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
Looks like I great conversion to me, I'd love to hear it in anger, I bet I sounds like a race car.
Seems like good value to me in the scheme of current resto mod prices.

cerb4.5lee

30,491 posts

180 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
unlikelymechanic said:
I bought a kit from Bruce about 2 years ago and converted my 1990 NA - absolutely love it to bits!

I have fitted a Torsen LSD, big brakes and 6 speed box from a mk2.5 Sport Donor so have mk1 looks with better running gear!

I bet that is a load of fun! driving

I like that a lot. thumbup

threespires

4,289 posts

211 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
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Ford USA built this V6 car for evaluation

CDP

7,459 posts

254 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
NJJ said:
Highlights the point that Mazda should have always dared to do a hot MX5 utilising a V6 at some point but maybe there wouldn't have been the market for it at the inevitable higher price point.

Best of British to Rocketeer as Dan says, a restomod for those in the real world. Great review and an exciting company to watch!
I watched and thought this could have been basis of a 25 to 30K Jaguar sports car back in the day when Ford owned both companies.

Purists would have hated it...

Spadey1

64 posts

152 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
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Hmm. I had a 1.6 mk 2 mx5 which I loved but always felt it a bit slow. I also had an X Type with the 3 litre engine which sounded fabulous. The idea of combining the two is gaining some traction, particularly as I am looking at around £3k to do a suspension refresh on my 987 S boxster.

Applied man maths suggests the boxster is worth around £10k and suspension bits from my local indie adds £3k. It will also need a clutch at some point which is around £1.5k. So looking at it that way cost to swap to something likely quicker (hopped up mx5) is negligible. Sure the boxster has more or less bottomed out on the depreciation curve but maintaining an mx5 is much cheaper. To my surprise I am actually considering this. I wonder whether it would get through the noise test at Bedford auto drome?

threespires

4,289 posts

211 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
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Mazda V6


Rocketeer engine


Rocketeer interior

PushedDover

5,640 posts

53 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
unlikelymechanic said:
I bought a kit from Bruce about 2 years ago and converted my 1990 NA - absolutely love it to bits!

I have fitted a Torsen LSD, big brakes and 6 speed box from a mk2.5 Sport Donor so have mk1 looks with better running gear!

Large Want.



(to do to mine. Go on. is it about a £15k job to do?)

Bill

52,694 posts

255 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
unlikelymechanic said:
I bought a kit from Bruce about 2 years ago and converted my 1990 NA - absolutely love it to bits!

I have fitted a Torsen LSD, big brakes and 6 speed box from a mk2.5 Sport Donor so have mk1 looks with better running gear!

I bet that is a load of fun! driving

I like that a lot. thumbup
And the perfect colour combo. cloud9

Notanotherturbo

494 posts

207 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
callahan said:
I had that engine in an X Type estate (manual) and you're right, it didn't suit the car at all. Bet it's fantastic in an MX5 though.

Mind you, a Busso v6 could be even nicer. Aurally at least.

Love it.
High mileage Busso lump £2000, sensible mileage Jag S Type £1000 for the whole car smile. Busso lump is much nicer though smile.

CABC

5,571 posts

101 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
add some chassis bracing and good coilovers. perfect.

V88Dicky

7,305 posts

183 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
I really like that. Sounds like my old manual 3.0 X-Type which had a custom made exhaust. I quite miss that old girl smile

A muscular V6 roadster, manual with a proper LSD, for around £15k? Definitely food for thought...