Rocketeer is a company in Surrey, UK that developed a swap kit that allows a 3.0 L AJ30 V6 from a Jaguar S-Type or similar Duratec 30 V6 installed into a Mazda MX-5/Miata NA or NB. The Jaguar engine produces 240 horsepower at 6,750 rpm and 221 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm. The kit will work with either left-hand and right-hand drive models. Rocketeer offers two kits, a basic kit for £1,197 ($1,612) and a turn-key kit for £5,995 ($8,073). Kits can also be purchased from their authorized distributor/installer Rocketworks Sports Cars in Eugene, Oregon.
Source: Rocketeer via Piotr
This makes ZERO sense. It would be way easier and probably cheaper to just turbo/supercharge the stock motor to get similar power output.
If you put forced induction on this V6 then you’re into LSx power levels and cost but it would be way easier to just do the LS swap…It’s usually better/cheaper to follow the KISS and path of least resistance plan.
At least it isn’t another LSx.
This makes perfect sense for a hot rod or kit car. I mean, who wouldn’t put one in a Mk1 Cortina or or a Mk2 Zodiac?
This makes plenty of sense. Have you ever even done forced induction on any car? It can be pretty tricky to get just right. With the V6 conversion you get simplicity with your engine. No need to futz with air/fuel mixture, find the right injectors, run extra oil lines and the 100 other things with a turbo. Plus it’s not that easy to get 240 no from an NA motor, espeically the 1.6. You’re running the risk of blowing the engine by having it male way more power than it was designed to. With the V6 it’s operating exactly where it’s supposed to, not to mention the power delivery from a V6 will be much smoother than with a turbo. I don’t think you know what you’re talking about and I’ll wager you don’t even own an NA Miata.
Not to mention low end torque, and a flat torque curve. V6 is a perfect solution to a small engine bay light vehicle
This makes perfect sense. To get the 220-240 out of a 1.8l you’re going to need to run quite a bit of boost, and that’s going to stress the engine quite a bit. Forget about the 1.6 making that, it’s possible but not smart. You can’t just slap a turbo or supercharger in it and be done. You’re gonna have to change and upgrade all kinds of things, not to mention tuning the car once everything is in. Plus while the supercharger will give you some pull down low a turbo won’t give you power until it spools, meaning you’ve got to really wind it out placing more stress on the engine. I’ve read tons of posts about turbos killing Miata engines. The V6 will give you much smoother, more usable power. Not only would it just feel faster I’d wager an AJ30 V6 with 240 peak vs a turbo 1.8 with 240 peak would be quicker in every scenario. If you go forced induction, you want to make equivalent power and you want the engine to run for more than a few months you’re pulling it out to basically rebuild it, so the amount of work with a V6 swap vs FI would either be the same or less for the V6. You don’t need to crack open the V6. You will have to with the 1.8. Not to mention you’ve got nowhere to go with the 1.8 unless you want to throw stupid amounts of cash at it to squeeze a few more hp. The V6 has got plenty of room to grow. Plus those engines sound way better than the Mazda 4s. Go out and turbo a few cars, rebuild a few engines, then see if you still think swapping enigines makes no sense.
I mean forced induction is fine if you like to endlessly tune, but if you are looking for a reliable daily then this conversion would be fantastic.
“but it would be way easier to just do the LS swap”
Have you done both engine swaps? If not you’ll need a source for that claim. How many hours did your LS swap into a MX5 take?
If you’re in the UK, Jag duratec engines are plentiful and whole cars can be sub $1,000. LS engined cars are not.
Although, yes some sort of blower would probably be easier.
Dose anyone know of a Jaguar aj30 in a mk3 cortina. Thinking of doing it. Looking for info
Yes. We have a customer doing it.
what gearbox are they using? with what flywheel and clutch ? cheers
I believe they are using the stock MX5 transmission. I don’t know about the flywheel or clutch.
Im building conversion kits to old Ford to fit the jag engine.
Nice. The Duratec has a fantastic power curve and a SWEET sound, and the engine itself is quite reliable. I’ve owned a few and put more than 200k miles on each without issue.
I want a pair of the headers for my DURATEC 30. I am hoping they fit in my 2000 Taurus.