Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 review - the 340bhp V6 sports car you never knew you needed

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narwhal_breeder@reddit

I think the most impressive thing about this article is squeezing 340BHP out of a Duratec 30. I have to wonder why they've doubled down on the Duratec, when no doubt all of the work they've done to it doubles the price compared to a bone stock LS.

The list of work done to the engine is wild - I cant imagine there arent easier ways to get \~350ish HP into a NB even if you wanted to keep the V6, like a mildly warmed over J35 with J32A2 heads (which is another "common" swap for these cars), and are identical in weight.

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anarchyx34@reddit

The Duratec is surprisingly rev happy. I have one in my 2012 Fusion and wish I could swap engines between it and my NC Miata. It would be a riot.

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UnnamedStaplesDrone@reddit

Dang and the NC even had a duratec based engine did it not? Or other way around? Can’t remember

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anarchyx34@reddit

It’s the same engine. Technically the Duratec is a Mazda MZR and not the other way around. The Fusion got the 2.5 liter version and is a really common swap into the NC.

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narwhal_breeder@reddit

Both of my first two cars had one - loved it.

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Nervous_Scarcity2964@reddit

Because it weighs less than the factory 1.8 and LS3, better weight distribution than either, maintenances the factory 5/6 speed, revs to 7500 easily and 9000rpm when fully built, was originally designed by Porsche and heads by Cosworth, and it just fits the character of the car much better. 400+ tq and a big V8 just isn’t as usable in a NA/NB Miata. I think the NC is a better LS swap candidate.

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Darthdickingson@reddit

Chevy LFX and LFX make 335 HP stock and can be found in 5th and 6th gen camaros very easily. Also shared with the caddy and a Buick sedan I think? Don't quote me on that.

LFX is 380 lbs, so roughly stock J35 weight and not terribly unreliable.

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Jaren000@reddit

I assume it's all about parts availability. Can't imagine the LS or anything powered by it is particularly common in the UK. My understanding is also that Honda isn't very large in the UK either which would make J series parts and engines harder to get. The duratec 30 on the other hand powered the Ford Mondeo, a very common vehicle over there.

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Atompunk78@reddit

Honda is very large in the UK, just for the record from someone over here

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a_wild_redditor@reddit

Could the electrical/accessories compatibility be better because of the Ford-iness of the NB? Of course, other swaps have certainly been demonstrated to be completely possible so that's not a complete deal maker or breaker.

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narwhal_breeder@reddit

Except they are using the longitudinal Jaguar variant of the Duratec, while similar, isn't the same, and much rarer - they don't have the same block (bellhousing is different), coolant inlets are for longitudinal mounting, different cylinder heads, ect. They do share a shortblock rotating assembly - but thats all redone, except the crank on these Miatas.

Several UK based companies import LS engines and provide parts.

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DoubleInvertz@reddit

It’s less about the 340bhp and more about the character of the engine, it’s a high revving variant with an over square design, their highest end package revs to 9k and is N/A with nearly 400hp. Driver engagement seems to be their primary focus

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Pitiful-Mobile-3144@reddit

Is there something similar for the NC Miata? It’s a big bigger with an overbuilt RX8 suspension, I bet it would be a better fit for something like this than the NB.

I know the GM Ecotec(?) 4cyl swap is somewhat common, is there a v6 option slotted between that and the LS?

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MikeofLA@reddit

While there are LS swap kits for it (Flying Miata used to make one), you're probably better off putting a turbo or supercharger on the NCs 2.5L.

https://v8roadsters.com/product-category/engine-conversions/engine-conversion-lsx/engine-conversion-lsx-nc/

https://flyinmiata.com/collections/nc-2006-15

https://flyinmiata.com/products/flyin-miata-stage-1-turbo-system-2006-15

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leftlanespawncamper@reddit

NC's are stock with the 2.0L, but swapping the 2.5L shortblock isn't uncommon.

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jrileyy229@reddit

Yes, LFX v6 on e85 will really scoot

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ettieredgotobed@reddit

If you want a V6 option in the US then V8 Roadsters has an LFX swap kit.

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cannedrex2406@reddit

You're better off getting the 2.5L ford Duratec engine which gets it to 170-180bhp and then dumping a supercharger. Way better in terms of outright power and torque

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Smooth_Schedule1338@reddit

Can these be imported to the US?

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Finbarr-Galedeep@reddit

A big engine wholly defeats the point of the MX-5.

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EntroperZero@reddit

I would normally agree, but a 3-liter isn't huge, and this engine is kind of ideally suited to the task, it's got a narrow V angle, revs to 8000 with a nice torque curve. I don't hate it at all.

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Mother____Clucker@reddit

How so? These are engineered and built in such a way that weight balance stays basically the same, and the overall weight only goes up by a marginal amount.

I like the idea of being able to drive at 8/10ths on the street without the risk of going to jail. But I'm sure these cars are no less rewarding to drive with a lot of power (to a point), as long as they're well thought out.

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Aforementionedlurker@reddit

8/10ths is not static, stock vs power bump. I think they're saying a lot of power is kind of antithesis Miata ethos—a vehicle "anyone" can obtain, wring out and be rewarded, street/track. Lotus for the proles. It's never been about power. Not many vehicles evolve to debut with less HP than the preceding generation (nd), esp those that are purportedly sporting

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Bonerchill@reddit

Kinda.

A Miata wholly defeats the point of the Elan and the BP engine isn’t a sparkler.

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darokk@reddit

How is it "one of 2026's unexpected driving hits" when they've been around for at least 10 years?

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trail-g62Bim@reddit

How is it "one of 2026's unexpected driving hits" when they've been around for at least 10 years?

I mean...coming into 2026, would you have predicted something that has been around for 10 years to suddenly be a hit?

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AwesomeBantha@reddit

I think they started with the kits and are now doing turnkey complete restomods in addition to the kits. Media won’t frequently write about an engine swap kit because 1) it’s just another car with a swapped engine, 2) most cars with engine swaps also have plenty of other mods that make comparisons difficult. But if it’s a complete package that you can order, it’s now something you can compare to other complete vehicles.

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Based on your own definitions, this is the Miata post of the week and thus should be allowed.

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noSSD4me@reddit

Giving a fun car a fun-er package under the hood that made it... more fun. Shocker!