A third-generation (NC/Mk3) Mazda MX-5 has been rebuilt around a Jaguar AJ30 3.0-litre V6 by UK specialist Rocketeer Cars. In its standard specification, Rocketeer quotes 300bhp and 265lb ft, while retaining the MX-5’s original subframe and basic structure.
What engine is in the Rocketeer NC Miata?
The conversion uses a re-engineered, post-2003 Jaguar AJ30 3.0-litre V6. This is not an original-equipment Mazda engine and the project is not based on an NA or NB Miata: the donor is the NC, sold as the third-generation MX-5.
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Rocketeer’s quoted standard output is 300bhp and 265lb ft of torque. Those figures are the builder’s specification claims, not results from an independently verified dyno test, so they should not be treated as a universal measured output for every converted car.
How Rocketeer makes the V6 fit
The swap is substantially more than replacing one engine with another. Rocketeer says it developed the package over an 18-month engineering programme and redesigned the parts needed to integrate the AJ30 with the NC’s chassis, controls and driveline.
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- A reworked cylinder-head design lets the V6 fit without modifying the bulkhead.
- A bespoke carbon-fibre inlet system and induction plenums feed new CNC throttle bodies.
- Custom exhaust hardware handles the V6’s exhaust routing.
- A CNC-machined aluminium adapter plate, flywheel and clutch assembly connect the engine to the MX-5 transmission.
- Dedicated brackets mount the engine, throttle system, alternator and power-assisted steering hardware.
- An electronic water pump, revised oil system and baffled cast-aluminium sump support the installation.
- An MBE ECU and electronics pack manage the converted powertrain.
The result is intended to preserve the MX-5’s compact, naturally aspirated character rather than turn it into a turbocharged car. Rocketeer managing director Bruce Southey has described the work as a “full re-engineering project from the ground up,” with each system developed to retain the original car’s character.
Does the V6 conversion change the MX-5’s handling?
Rocketeer and launch coverage say the NC’s subframe and underlying structure remain unchanged. The stated weight distribution stays close to 50:50, which is central to the MX-5’s handling balance. That does not establish a particular cornering improvement, lap time or ride quality, but it does indicate that the conversion was designed around preserving the donor’s fundamental chassis layout.
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The V6 also changes the performance envelope substantially compared with a stock NC. The table below uses Rocketeer’s quoted conversion figures; a single stock-NC power figure is not given here because NC engines and markets varied.
| Attribute | Stock NC MX-5 | Rocketeer V6 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Mazda four-cylinder (market and version dependent) | Re-engineered post-2003 Jaguar AJ30, 3.0-litre V6 |
| Power | Not stated for a specific NC version | 300bhp claimed as standard specification |
| Torque | Not stated for a specific NC version | 265lb ft claimed |
| Chassis and subframe | Standard NC structure | Rocketeer says the subframe and underlying structure remain unchanged |
| Weight distribution | Not stated here | Rocketeer and launch reports say it remains near 50:50 |
| Induction | Standard Mazda system | Carbon-fibre plenums and CNC throttle bodies |
Turnkey conversion or self-build kit?
There are two fundamentally different ways to commission the project. A turnkey build puts installation and integration responsibility with Rocketeer or one of its reported partner facilities. The self-build route supplies the specialist hardware for an experienced builder to install and commission.
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| Consideration | Turnkey NC conversion | Self-build route |
|---|---|---|
| Published starting price | £25,000 plus VAT in independent launch coverage | Kit and electronics pack from £9,995, depending on specification; rebuilt AJ30 engine listed at £6,495 |
| Installation responsibility | Rocketeer or an approved facility performs the conversion | Owner or chosen workshop handles fabrication, installation, wiring and commissioning |
| Parts included | Integrated completed conversion; exact specification must be agreed with the builder | Listed conversion hardware, with engine priced separately |
| Geographic support | Rocketeer’s UK facility plus reported partners in North America, Germany and Australia | Local installation support depends on the owner’s workshop and Rocketeer’s arrangements |
| Warranty and service | Terms are not stated in the available launch reports; obtain them in writing | Warranty and post-build support are not stated; clarify coverage before ordering |
| Lead time | Octane reported that 2027 build slots were being finalised | Depends on parts availability, builder capacity and the owner’s fabrication schedule |
Rocketeer states that its prices exclude 20% VAT. The self-build starting figures therefore do not represent a complete, tax-inclusive, road-ready car: labour, donor-car condition, fluids, ancillary work, shipping, registration and any specification changes can alter the final total. A separate October 15, 2026 SlashGear report puts the conversion at about $33,000 depending on specification; that is a secondary, geography-specific figure, while the builder and UK launch reports quote pounds plus VAT.
What is included in the self-build package?
Rocketeer’s listed self-build hardware is unusually extensive for an engine-swap kit. Depending on specification, the package includes:
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- 【Product Size】This toy car is 1/32 scale. Well-made and realistic, it can also be used as a decoration in addition to being a toy for children to play with. Suitable for people who like car models as a collection.
- 【Play Function】The doors of this toy car can be opened, and the sound and light effects can be triggered by pressing the body and opening the doors. The roof of the car is also removable. The toy car also comes with a little tongue part that can be inserted in the front of the car after taking it out of the trunk. Press on the lights to lift them up and with the little tongue, a cute little face appears. This toy car has a strong pull back function, put the toy car on the ground and pull back hard, then let go, the toy car can run forward by itself.
- 【Learning Implications 】Children can learn more about cars while playing with toy cars. The color, temperature and material of the toy car can also give children intuitive feelings and help them understand the world.
- 【Quality after-sales service】We will provide quality pre-sales and after-sales service for the toy cars purchased in our store. You can contact us if you have any questions.
- Fabricated steel front subframe and engine-mount brackets
- Throttle, alternator and power-assisted-steering brackets
- Complete exhaust system
- CNC aluminium adapter plate and flywheel
- Pulley adapter and oil-system hardware
- Cast-aluminium baffled sump
- Carbon-fibre induction plenums and CNC throttle bodies
- Clutch assembly
- Filters, belts and hoses
- Electronic water pump
- MBE ECU and electronics pack
The listed rebuilt AJ30 engine is a separate £6,495 item, and Rocketeer says all prices exclude VAT. Anyone planning a DIY installation should confirm exactly which sensors, wiring, calibration, cooling components and consumables are included in the chosen specification before committing to a budget.
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The published launch material establishes the quoted output, architecture and starting prices, but it does not provide an independent dyno sheet, acceleration time, long-term reliability record or a universal warranty policy. US registration and emissions legality are also jurisdiction-specific and are not established by the UK pricing reports. Buyers should verify local inspection rules, emissions requirements, insurance treatment and written support terms with Rocketeer and the relevant authority before importing or registering a car.
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Who is this conversion for?
The turnkey car suits an owner who wants the finished driving experience without taking responsibility for fabrication, wiring and calibration. The self-build option is aimed at a capable workshop or enthusiast who can manage an engine conversion and accept that the advertised kit price is only the starting point. In either case, the defining trade-off is clear: the project seeks V6 performance while preserving the NC’s structure and near-balanced layout, but the 300bhp figure remains a quoted specification rather than an independently confirmed test result.
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