I'm glad Rocketeer finally found a US partner as they've been looking for a while. It's a really nice piece of kit, their subframe design is much better than the other tubular offerings on the market.
The normal install is about equivalent to our old FM II turbo - 250-ish HP. Doesn't make it into a sledgehammer like an LS swap, but that power level lets you keep the stock trans and rear end without overstressing it too far.
Keiryō, well, I'll wait to see that. UK kit car manufacturers tend to quote on the low side for weights, and getting a Miata to 1900 is not easy even without a 370 hp capable powertrain. It may no longer have a Miata tub.
Kansas...I'm going to say Jesse Prather :)
Tom1200
UltimaDork
5/12/25 1:56 p.m.
22 Grand!
I could do it cheaper; of course it won't be well sorted and will have constant issues to the point that I'll get frustrated with the car and sell it at a huge loss.
On second thought 22K sounds like a good deal.
In reply to Tom1200 :
That's what I was thinking, too.
Assuming it's available at a similar price point, I don't feel like it's too unreasonable.
Driven5
PowerDork
5/12/25 3:03 p.m.
So a rebuilt engine that was only sold here in very low quantities 15+ years ago...
Isn't it an AJ motor? Same or similar to what was in the Mazda 6 and some Fords?
I saw a video a few months back on YouTube, sounds like a nice car!
There is a user on the miata forum that has one finished. Also did an italia body on it. Very nice.
https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=740453
Driven5 said:
So a rebuilt engine that was only sold here in very low quantities 15+ years ago...
You only need one :)
It was used in the Lincoln LS as well as a few Jags. The bottom end probably shares a lot of components with the very common Duratec V6, most of the differences are in the heads.
Trent
UltimaDork
5/12/25 4:10 p.m.
I have an older rocketeer conversion here in the shop. There was a local guy doing the conversion for a hot minute some years back.
This one ran so rich that it washed the cylinders and ruined the bores on the trip to the dyno. It was blamed on differences between the US and UK ECUs but that excuse seems suspect.
Turns out rebuilding one of those motors isn't an easy thing. It is easier to to get parts for a 50's Lancia V6 than one of these. JE had to make custom pistons for it.
It is here getting a Haltech and tuning. I am looking forward to it.
The cast alloy oil pan and intakes in the kit are gorgeous
In reply to Trent :
I thought they used a custom ECU because of the twin throttles. It's been a while though.
