Mazda MX5 NC project cars: Rocketeer V6 and Honda K24

[baronbennyt]

The stormy blue NC 3.75 will be getting the Honda K24 2.4L developed and prepared by Performance Link in Tewksbury for c. 290-300bhp, and the copper red NC 3.75 will be getting the Jaguar AJ30 3.0L V6 developed and prepared by Rocketeer Cars near Andover for 310-320bhp.

The blue K24 car is already in for its engine build with Performance Link and the red V6 car is expected to be in engine build with Rocketeer early next year, after the rest of the car has been prepared.

I know these builds won t be for everyone and there will no doubt be plenty of critics and naysayers, which social media has a habit of throwing up, but I hope many of you MX5 enthusiasts will take interest and pleasure in following my journey with these two very special projects.

I ve worked very hard for many years to get to this point and this is where I ve decided to place my hard earned, supporting two wonderfully creative and technically brilliant British companies who, like all of us, have a passion for MX5s. In this case we re just turning the dial to eleven!

Moderator edit: no social media promotion

[samoht]

Very nice.

I think each of those projects sound fantastic, really exciting cars. I had an RX-7 for a decade (c 1250kg, 330hp) and these swapped NCs feel like they're in a similar ballpark only with the benefit of NA engine response and sound.

The only thing raising my eyebrows is, why both? Are the red car and the blue car gonna have a race? Is it a case of build both, compare them and sell the one you prefer less? Or is the idea that they'll each have complementary characters and you'll enjoy both of them alongside?

[baronbennyt]

samoht said:

Very nice.

I think each of those projects sound fantastic, really exciting cars. I had an RX-7 for a decade (c 1250kg, 330hp) and these swapped NCs feel like they're in a similar ballpark only with the benefit of NA engine response and sound.

The only thing raising my eyebrows is, why both? Are the red car and the blue car gonna have a race? Is it a case of build both, compare them and sell the one you prefer less? Or is the idea that they'll each have complementary characters and you'll enjoy both of them alongside?

I do about 25-30 track days a year and having driven most performance and sports cars on the road and on the track, including Porsche, Lotus, BMW and McLaren, I’ve come to the conclusion you can’t beat an MX5 for sheer fun! So, I need a stable that can cope with the number of track days I’m doing. Having fallen for the MX5 I thought two very different engines would make them different enough to justify having both of them! Let’s see how next year goes. I’m not very good at holding onto cars for long. I hope these two break the trend..

[OGDB2]

I will bookmark this and follow with interest. There is a chap I follow on YouTube who used to have a high powered turbo converted NA, which is why I started following him, but now has a NC, if memory serves me right, with a K20 turbo paired with an 8HP which I find absolutely fascinating. I ve got a feeling that was running Link management like you mention.

I also didn t know the AJ30 went into the NC platform, does it still require the bespoke intakes to fit it under the bonnet?


Edit…

I’ve just realised by your user name who you are, I’ve followed your GT3s in awe. It’s fantastic to see your opinion on the MX5 when you’ve had so much seat time in much more track focused machinery.

I’ll keep an eye out on track days for an abnormally quick NC!

Edited by OGDB2 on Thursday 1st October 11:22

[Dr G]

Will follow with interest.

Is there a theme/focus with either build?

Love seeing the different interpretations of MX5 that crop up. My favourite was probably the Toms Turbo Garage (Youtube) V8 Miata build. He put a lot of effort in to making it a nice road car, rather than just a lary hot-rod. Kept the air-conditioning, cruise control etc.

[baronbennyt]

OGDB2 said:

I will bookmark this and follow with interest. There is a chap I follow on YouTube who used to have a high powered turbo converted NA, which is why I started following him, but now has a NC, if memory serves me right, with a K20 turbo paired with an 8HP which I find absolutely fascinating. I ve got a feeling that was running Link management like you mention.

I also didn t know the AJ30 went into the NC platform, does it still require the bespoke intakes to fit it under the bonnet?


Edit

I ve just realised by your user name who you are, I ve followed your GT3s in awe. It s fantastic to see your opinion on the MX5 when you ve had so much seat time in much more track focused machinery.

I ll keep an eye out on track days for an abnormally quick NC!

Edited by OGDB2 on Thursday 1st October 11:22

Yes, thank you. I've been fortunate enough to have owned and run some pretty exotic machinery in my time - currently a Cayman GT4RS, which is epic - but I have to say, out of all of them, it's the MX5 that I keep coming back to. It's such a hoot to drive, practical for arrive and drive track days, and very easily tuneable (see BOFI Racing's website). It's just the engine that lets the side down a bit, although I freely admit I'm going overboard with addressing the issue!

Rocketeer has only recently announced it's ready to take orders for its AJ30 conversion for the NC model. See launch news here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-japanesecars/r...

[baronbennyt]

The Copper Red MX5 NC was superb fun at Castle Combe circuit the other week. The new EBC Apollo front brakes and EBC Yellowstuff brake pads performed really well, kept cool by the Performance Delta front fog light brake cooling kit.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres (225|45|17), however, overheated quite badly in the dry but came into their own later when it rained. I’ll move to Yokohama A052s next.

The car is running OZ Racing I-TECH Alleggerita HLT alloy wheels in star silver I 8X17 inch | 5X114.3 | Offset 48.

The next stage in the build will be to fit Ohlins Road & Track coilovers, Whiteline adjustable anti roll bars, and a Kaaz 1.5 Way Super Q LSD. I’ll also upgrade the brake pads to Carbotech XP8s since the modifications described should result in greater performance.

After this I’ll be looking at the interior - bucket seats, harnesses, roll bar etc.

The Rocketeer V6 engine conversion will be the last piece in the project build.

[Sko77y]

Fantastic thread, will keep a keen eye on progress.

[Mr Tidy]

You're obviously a big MX5 fan, and taking two different approaches to making them go faster is really fascinating. Looking forward to seeing how they compare when they are finished.

[TameRacingDriver]

Very cool OP, as another MX5 fan, watching with interest

[PushedDover]

OP

It sounds like you are getting Rocketeer to do all the work ?
Turnkey job ?

In bought the engine years ago and plan to have them do my NA next year after a drive in their demo

[baronbennyt]

PushedDover said:

OP

It sounds like you are getting Rocketeer to do all the work ?
Turnkey job ?

In bought the engine years ago and plan to have them do my NA next year after a drive in their demo

I’ve sourced most of the non-drivetrain upgrades from BOFI Racing, which my local mechanic continues to fit. Once completed the car will then go next year to Rocketeer who will fit the complete V6 drivetrain and exhaust themselves.

It’s the same approach I took with the K24 car, which is already with Performance Link having their drivetrain and exhaust fitted.

I’m no mechanic so wanted the respective drivetrains fitted by the suppliers themselves.

[PushedDover]

Agree completely with the last para

I read of great projects that fall at the later furlon. Not worth the risk


Enjoy - and look forward to your reviews