RE: Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 V6 | PH Review
Discussion
My NA Rocketeer build thread has been linked earlier in this thread, but to summarise why I choose this over a Porsche etc is that I get half of the pleasure of car ownership by working on them.
Up until this point I had done some fairly major work on my old TVR but never an engine swap (also I watched too much Roadkill and Skid Factory and they make it seem easy!) but I recognised I wouldn't have the skill or knowledge to do it from scratch. Hence a kit was ideal for me.
A Cayman or similar would drive as well or better but I'd have much less to tinker with. Plus an early mx5 is luxury compared to a TVR S series. At least someone appeared to design the mazda!
Up until this point I had done some fairly major work on my old TVR but never an engine swap (also I watched too much Roadkill and Skid Factory and they make it seem easy!) but I recognised I wouldn't have the skill or knowledge to do it from scratch. Hence a kit was ideal for me.
A Cayman or similar would drive as well or better but I'd have much less to tinker with. Plus an early mx5 is luxury compared to a TVR S series. At least someone appeared to design the mazda!
rossb said:
My mk1 rocketeer converion is v.v.close to being finished - 6 jenvey itbs and 300 bhp. I have taken it for a brief run up the road - even with mapping and a few other things to be finished - I'm really excited about the prospect of driving the car on regular basis. The sound/sweet spot of the conversions power to weight/diminutive size of an mx5 means the result is greater the sum of the parts. On the question of value - I think you will find that the large majority of people who have done the conversion are pretty happy with the results.
Your blog tortures mef
king love thatcerb4.5lee said:
rossb said:
My mk1 rocketeer converion is v.v.close to being finished - 6 jenvey itbs and 300 bhp. I have taken it for a brief run up the road - even with mapping and a few other things to be finished - I'm really excited about the prospect of driving the car on regular basis. The sound/sweet spot of the conversions power to weight/diminutive size of an mx5 means the result is greater the sum of the parts. On the question of value - I think you will find that the large majority of people who have done the conversion are pretty happy with the results.
CDP said:
I would have thought the bell-housing, engine mounts etc wouldn't cost too much to get sent over or are modified cars a major issue out there?
Interesting idea. The roads here would suit the Rocketeer perfectly. Registering an imported,modified car is a major pain but I think changing a registered car is less of a problem.
I don’t have the experience or tools to do the work myself and in the U.K. I would have gone for a turnkey car.
NZ has some advantages as no salt on the road means fewer rust problems so finding a solid MX5 base car probably okay, although on the other hand lack of supply means prices here are higher than the U.K.
Major issue is that it is 50/50 whether we stay here more than a couple of years and I’m not sure how easy it would be to import and register a modified car back in the U.K.
This thread needs more video! Or more accurately, audio. Lots more 
Having said that, it does sound a bit 4-cylinder compared to the Ford / Jaguar applications, no growl or bass note. A bit buzzy. Maybe that is down to the manifolds / exhaust path, or induction system.
The Porsche-Cosworth designed Duratec V6 is often overlooked, a shame it didn't get used in more cars. Light, very modifiable, tractable, and capable of making very nice sounds, or being almost silent, depending on exhaust valving. Suited the Mondeo chassis very well. It seems a good choice for a sporty little MX5, no extra weight, pushes the mass a little further back, and gives you a nice soundtrack from both the induction and exhaust.
I hope it uses a different sump to the one which Jaguar designed, it can be prone to oil starvation. Nothing that can't be sorted though. I wonder if it uses any sort of inlet manifold control like Ford used. That considerably improved the low-down torque under 3500rpm for when you just want to trundle around in high gear. Love the Mk 1 up there in BRG. V6 and pop-up headlamps, whats not to love?
Having said that, it does sound a bit 4-cylinder compared to the Ford / Jaguar applications, no growl or bass note. A bit buzzy. Maybe that is down to the manifolds / exhaust path, or induction system.
The Porsche-Cosworth designed Duratec V6 is often overlooked, a shame it didn't get used in more cars. Light, very modifiable, tractable, and capable of making very nice sounds, or being almost silent, depending on exhaust valving. Suited the Mondeo chassis very well. It seems a good choice for a sporty little MX5, no extra weight, pushes the mass a little further back, and gives you a nice soundtrack from both the induction and exhaust.
I hope it uses a different sump to the one which Jaguar designed, it can be prone to oil starvation. Nothing that can't be sorted though. I wonder if it uses any sort of inlet manifold control like Ford used. That considerably improved the low-down torque under 3500rpm for when you just want to trundle around in high gear. Love the Mk 1 up there in BRG. V6 and pop-up headlamps, whats not to love?
Edited by Zad on Thursday 31st December 21:56
V8 would be too big and heavy? Erm no,
An LS series would take up the same if not less space than Ford DOHC V6, it is most certainly lower and narrower with the pushrod set up, weight wise could be the same if not less.
Even a base LS3 would be a lot more powerful than this mediocre V6, & sound much better. They're also readily available as a crate package with accessories and adaptors for common trans set ups.
An LS series would take up the same if not less space than Ford DOHC V6, it is most certainly lower and narrower with the pushrod set up, weight wise could be the same if not less.
Even a base LS3 would be a lot more powerful than this mediocre V6, & sound much better. They're also readily available as a crate package with accessories and adaptors for common trans set ups.
Zad said:
This thread needs more video! Or more accurately, audio. Lots more
Having said that, it does sound a bit 4-cylinder compared to the Ford / Jaguar applications, no growl or bass note. A bit buzzy. Maybe that is down to the manifolds / exhaust path, or induction system.
The Porsche-Cosworth designed Duratec V6 is often overlooked, a shame it didn't get used in more cars. Light, very modifiable, tractable, and capable of making very nice sounds, or being almost silent, depending on exhaust valving. Suited the Mondeo chassis very well. It seems a good choice for a sporty little MX5, no extra weight, pushes the mass a little further back, and gives you a nice soundtrack from both the induction and exhaust.
I hope it uses a different sump to the one which Jaguar designed, it can be prone to oil starvation. Nothing that can't be sorted though. I wonder if it uses any sort of inlet manifold control like Ford used. That considerably improved the low-down torque under 3500rpm for when you just want to trundle around in high gear. Love the Mk 1 up there in BRG. V6 and pop-up headlamps, whats not to love?
There’s a couple of Lotus Esprits that have had this engine put in. Really suits the Esprit.Having said that, it does sound a bit 4-cylinder compared to the Ford / Jaguar applications, no growl or bass note. A bit buzzy. Maybe that is down to the manifolds / exhaust path, or induction system.
The Porsche-Cosworth designed Duratec V6 is often overlooked, a shame it didn't get used in more cars. Light, very modifiable, tractable, and capable of making very nice sounds, or being almost silent, depending on exhaust valving. Suited the Mondeo chassis very well. It seems a good choice for a sporty little MX5, no extra weight, pushes the mass a little further back, and gives you a nice soundtrack from both the induction and exhaust.
I hope it uses a different sump to the one which Jaguar designed, it can be prone to oil starvation. Nothing that can't be sorted though. I wonder if it uses any sort of inlet manifold control like Ford used. That considerably improved the low-down torque under 3500rpm for when you just want to trundle around in high gear. Love the Mk 1 up there in BRG. V6 and pop-up headlamps, whats not to love?
Edited by Zad on Thursday 31st December 21:56
Esceptico said:
Major issue is that it is 50/50 whether we stay here more than a couple of years and I’m not sure how easy it would be to import and register a modified car back in the U.K.
I think it's pretty easy, people bring in modified Japanese imports all the time. I don't think anyone looks under the bonnet at the docks, it's basically just a matter of getting the car MoT'd (if you've owned it overseas you don't have to pay the 33% tax).Actually in many ways picking up a non-oxidised MX-5 in NZ, swapping it and bringing it back to the UK could make quite a bit of sense ;-)
akashzimzimma said:
V8 would be too big and heavy? Erm no,
An LS series would take up the same if not less space than Ford DOHC V6, it is most certainly lower and narrower with the pushrod set up, weight wise could be the same if not less.
Even a base LS3 would be a lot more powerful than this mediocre V6, & sound much better. They're also readily available as a crate package with accessories and adaptors for common trans set ups.
The 240hp V6 would be more than enough. Going ott with a V8 would just spoil the car.. An LS series would take up the same if not less space than Ford DOHC V6, it is most certainly lower and narrower with the pushrod set up, weight wise could be the same if not less.
Even a base LS3 would be a lot more powerful than this mediocre V6, & sound much better. They're also readily available as a crate package with accessories and adaptors for common trans set ups.
akashzimzimma said:
V8 would be too big and heavy? Erm no,
An LS series would take up the same if not less space than Ford DOHC V6, it is most certainly lower and narrower with the pushrod set up, weight wise could be the same if not less.
Even a base LS3 would be a lot more powerful than this mediocre V6, & sound much better. They're also readily available as a crate package with accessories and adaptors for common trans set ups.
Look forward to your engineered solutionAn LS series would take up the same if not less space than Ford DOHC V6, it is most certainly lower and narrower with the pushrod set up, weight wise could be the same if not less.
Even a base LS3 would be a lot more powerful than this mediocre V6, & sound much better. They're also readily available as a crate package with accessories and adaptors for common trans set ups.
Edited by PushedDover on Friday 1st January 11:16
samoht said:
I think it's pretty easy, people bring in modified Japanese imports all the time. I don't think anyone looks under the bonnet at the docks, it's basically just a matter of getting the car MoT'd (if you've owned it overseas you don't have to pay the 33% tax).
Actually in many ways picking up a non-oxidised MX-5 in NZ, swapping it and bringing it back to the UK could make quite a bit of sense ;-)
Mmm. The year is only a few hours old (here) and I might have a project...Actually in many ways picking up a non-oxidised MX-5 in NZ, swapping it and bringing it back to the UK could make quite a bit of sense ;-)
hmmm so find an MX5 with a busted engine and it could be an interesting proposition...
there are quite a few in the US - yes the LS block is heavier than the V6, but it is a whole lot nicer and capable of more power than you need a lot more cheaply.
PushedDover said:
akashzimzimma said:
V8 would be too big and heavy? Erm no,
An LS series would take up the same if not less space than Ford DOHC V6, it is most certainly lower and narrower with the pushrod set up, weight wise could be the same if not less.
Even a base LS3 would be a lot more powerful than this mediocre V6, & sound much better. They're also readily available as a crate package with accessories and adaptors for common trans set ups.
Look forward to you’re engineered solutionAn LS series would take up the same if not less space than Ford DOHC V6, it is most certainly lower and narrower with the pushrod set up, weight wise could be the same if not less.
Even a base LS3 would be a lot more powerful than this mediocre V6, & sound much better. They're also readily available as a crate package with accessories and adaptors for common trans set ups.
threespires said:
I like the idea of staying with a period Mazda motor and putting a KL-DE 2.5 V6 in an MX-5 as above, as opposed to the Jag lump.
As an MX-6 enthusiast I've got a spare KL plus gearbox and a shed load of parts, so it would be a fun project to try and toss it in an MX-5, but obviously the appeal of the Rocketeer kit is that they've done all the development work for you in regards to getting it all mounted up...
MX-6 said:
threespires said:
I like the idea of staying with a period Mazda motor and putting a KL-DE 2.5 V6 in an MX-5 as above, as opposed to the Jag lump.As an MX-6 enthusiast I've got a spare KL plus gearbox and a shed load of parts, so it would be a fun project to try and toss it in an MX-5, but obviously the appeal of the Rocketeer kit is that they've done all the development work for you in regards to getting it all mounted up...
I love the idea of light weight cars, and the MX5 is one of the best manufacturer solutions. In isolation, this does seem brilliant.
I'd love to put this up against other similar cars (or, similarly priced cars), for a comparison. Something like "What could you buy for £15k", and see how it all plays out.
I'd love to put this up against other similar cars (or, similarly priced cars), for a comparison. Something like "What could you buy for £15k", and see how it all plays out.
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