Rocketeer vs BBR vs Performance Link

[Skeptisk]

I am thinking of buying an MX5 and modifying it. I am looking at the engine swaps from Rocketeer or Performance Link or supercharger conversion from BBR.

Has anyone looked into this before?

I think the V6 of the Rocketeer is probably the best on paper (larger capacity so more torque, NA and lighter than the existing engine) but it is quite pricey (I would have to get someone to do the work for me).

The BBR looks the best value, although I’ve heard they can be a bit iffy on post sale support.

[Nickp82]

I bought the SC kit from BBR and Performance Link fitted it.
This was last year so their K24 swap was still in development, had it been available it would have been a tougher decision though I think the price differential would probably have made me make the same choice.

[Galveston]

I can’t really help answer the question but…

(1) the guys at Performance Link are great - they’ve worked on my NC, and I’ve been really impressed by their attitude and outcomes.

(2) as a road car, I would want the NC to have more low down torque more than extra top end. On a nice flowy B-road they’re plenty fast enough as standard to enjoy the chassis, but I also want to be able to slide the back around in the low speed corners and it doesn’t have the grunt to do that.

[boxxer7]

Kind of done exactly what you are thinking of doing, my plan is to go supercharged as its a fair bit cheaper than the other two options, will probably go down the BBR route (there are other kits). That said when I was last at PL the Swap was looking so good, really does look like it was meant to be there.

The guys at Performance Link really know their stuff, back there next month for a map after I have got around to fitting the manifold sat in my garage.

[griffdude]

boxxer7 said:

Kind of done exactly what you are thinking of doing, my plan is to go supercharged as its a fair bit cheaper than the other two options, will probably go down the BBR route (there are other kits). That said when I was last at PL the Swap was looking so good, really does look like it was meant to be there.

The guys at Performance Link really know their stuff, back there next month for a map after I have got around to fitting the manifold sat in my garage.

Trackdog Racing in the USA do a really good Rotrex kit.

Bofi in Huntingdon are real MX5 guru’s.

[MattsCar]

I would say...regarding the Rocketeer kit...it is a £25k conversion if you factor in installation. As well as say £5k for a decent base car and then probably the best part of that again for suitable upgrades to take it up to a suitable standard in terms of brakes, suspension and chassis for a 300bhp engine.

If you want to go for it....make sure and be absolutely certain that you love the NA/ NB and that is EXACTLY what you want.

Reason I say this, is that in my opinion there are MUCH better overall packages that you can get at this price point. Whether you want something more track focused or something that is a cruiser.

[mb26]

The standard NC has enough power to hold drifts in 2nd and 3rd gear .. unless you put track day tyres on it…

So, don’t put track day tyres on it

I regularly drive a standard NC on track with budget tyres.. and a BBR stage 2 supercharged NC with track tyres.

The supercharged NC on track tyres is 10s per lap faster round Bedord GT…
..But the standard one is more fun.

Galveston said:

I can’t really help answer the question but…

(1) the guys at Performance Link are great - they’ve worked on my NC, and I’ve been really impressed by their attitude and outcomes.

(2) as a road car, I would want the NC to have more low down torque more than extra top end. On a nice flowy B-road they’re plenty fast enough as standard to enjoy the chassis, but I also want to be able to slide the back around in the low speed corners and it doesn’t have the grunt to do that.

[mb26]

100% agree !!

£30k is a lot of money for an MX5 even with a V6…

You would get a lot of Porsche / BMW / Caterham / etc for that money…

£2-5k gets you a decent NC, pay £6k to BBR and £2k for suspension and brakes and it’s a pretty quick track day toy that could be driven daily too.

Suggest you have a sit/drive in a BBR supercharged car and decide if something slower but better sounding is what you want for 2x the money..

MattsCar said:

I would say...regarding the Rocketeer kit...it is a £25k conversion if you factor in installation. As well as say £5k for a decent base car and then probably the best part of that again for suitable upgrades to take it up to a suitable standard in terms of brakes, suspension and chassis for a 300bhp engine.

If you want to go for it....make sure and be absolutely certain that you love the NA/ NB and that is EXACTLY what you want.

Reason I say this, is that in my opinion there are MUCH better overall packages that you can get at this price point. Whether you want something more track focused or something that is a cruiser.

[Belle427]

There is a Mk 1 rocketeer for sale at the moment £14995, I saw it on the Mx5 owners forums. Looks very interesting.
Not sure id pay that though but one hell of a car.

[Ranger 6]

One of the FDMC fellas has a supercharged MX5 for sale - £8500 I think?

[PushedDover]

Has anyone experienced / driven all three ?

I’ve tried the Rocket and signed up, bought an engine from them some time ago - but put the project on hold (priorities) but can’t wait reimagine the car I’ve owned for 26yrs

A fast tourer, not a track weapon

[iguana]

PushedDover said:

Has anyone experienced / driven all three ?

I’ve tried the Rocket and signed up, bought an engine from them some time ago - but put the project on hold (priorities) but can’t wait reimagine the car I’ve owned for 26yrs

A fast tourer, not a track weapon

I've driven a rocketeer & I've got a turbo with similar power. I've had 2x supercharged mx5s too, but lower power ones. 180bhp ish

[PushedDover]

iguana said:

PushedDover said:

Has anyone experienced / driven all three ?

I’ve tried the Rocket and signed up, bought an engine from them some time ago - but put the project on hold (priorities) but can’t wait reimagine the car I’ve owned for 26yrs

A fast tourer, not a track weapon

I've driven a rocketeer & I've got a turbo with similar power. I've had 2x supercharged mx5s too, but lower power ones. 180bhp ish

Annnnnnnd ?

Opinion / write up of the difference would be great - and what you’d do for different use case, and budget

[GiantEnemyCrab]

PushedDover said:

iguana said:

PushedDover said:

Has anyone experienced / driven all three ?

I’ve tried the Rocket and signed up, bought an engine from them some time ago - but put the project on hold (priorities) but can’t wait reimagine the car I’ve owned for 26yrs

A fast tourer, not a track weapon

I've driven a rocketeer & I've got a turbo with similar power. I've had 2x supercharged mx5s too, but lower power ones. 180bhp ish

Annnnnnnd ?

Opinion / write up of the difference would be great - and what you’d do for different use case, and budget

I'd also really like to read a comparison if you have the time! Thanks!

[iguana]

PushedDover said:

Annnnnnnd ?

Opinion / write up of the difference would be great - and what you’d do for different use case, and budget

Not quite the time for a big reply, but v quickly, it's very budget dependent. Discounting my own SC cars as were both the small JRSC & non intercooled so not big numbers power wise, but fun & a lot quicker than stock tho.

Turbo vs V6 is a tougher one, in my case of my spec car vs the Rocketeer demo I had a play it's broadly similar performance, turbo obvs easier to get big power from if desired, it doesn't come with a lovely creamy v6 soundtrack tho & there are performance options for the v6 too.

Personally I liked the v6 a lot, for my use however it would be a cost many times over vs my turbo, in the ballpark of an extra £10k plus if I could find a used completed car, & unlikely in the spec I'd want so more £ needed to sort for track use, or drive in/out conversion is approx over £20k more.

So I guess to sum up, I love a grunty NA six pot, I've had & still have many BMWs with them, love it, if a Rocketeer was same price as my turbo I'd say v6, but for me a turbo makes the most sense for my budget & use of 'ring & trackday & fast road fun on a smaller budget.

I'd look at the GM v6 Kostas put in his mx5 for 'ring use but that's very much a DIY no support method.

Edited by iguana on Wednesday 9th April 23:44

[Turbofun]

Skeptisk said:

I am thinking of buying an MX5 and modifying it. I am looking at the engine swaps from Rocketeer or Performance Link or supercharger conversion from BBR.

Has anyone looked into this before?

I think the V6 of the Rocketeer is probably the best on paper (larger capacity so more torque, NA and lighter than the existing engine) but it is quite pricey (I would have to get someone to do the work for me).

The BBR looks the best value, although I’ve heard they can be a bit iffy on post sale support.

I have owned a few Porsches, AMG 63S(4.0) and a few other cars plus MX5 NC with 270Hp BBR turbo (stage 2) with Ohlins, this car I have done a few trackdays, loads on hooning and 3 x trips to Spain and Portugal over the last 4 years.... its a very good car and lots of fun. . I managed to find it for sale with most of mods already done
I also owned for 7 months a MX5 ND with BBR Turbo Stage 1 (220hp) ... its a good car but prefer the NC.
The NC I like so much that I have given up driving more expensive cars and thrown a few more mods at it.

My personal recommendation is to get a nice NC 2.0 mk3 and add some choice modifications either a turbo/SC and enjoy it.