Rocketeer has confirmed a turnkey V6 conversion for the Mazda MX-5 Miata NC, replacing the roadster’s factory four-cylinder with a Jaguar-sourced 3.0-liter engine producing about 304 horsepower. The completed car will make its public debut at the 2026 Goodwood Revival, with build slots already being allocated into 2027.

Rather than selling a loose engine-swap kit, Rocketeer will convert customer-supplied NCs through a complete build program. The result is intended to be a finished, engineered roadster rather than a one-off backyard project. Rocketeer also plans to deliver cars through accredited partners in North America, Germany and Australia.

Powertrain and performance

The conversion uses a post-2003 Jaguar AJ30, a 3.0-liter V6 related to Ford’s Duratec engine family. Rocketeer tunes the rebuilt engine to around 304 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. For context, the NC Miata originally used either a 1.8-liter engine producing 126 hp or a 2.0-liter engine producing 160 hp.

Hardware for the conversion includes a carbon-fiber intake, individual throttle bodies, a revised exhaust and a modified cylinder head. A lighter flywheel and reinforced clutch are fitted to manage the V6’s additional output.

The AJ30’s Porsche connection comes from the engine architecture’s origins. Ford acquired a Porsche-developed V6 design and adapted it for later Duratec and Jaguar applications, giving the Jaguar-badged engine a genuine Porsche link without making it a Porsche engine.

Miata balance remains central

Rocketeer says the conversion leaves the NC’s bulkhead and subframe untouched. It also claims the finished car retains the original 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution and factory curb weight, despite installing a larger engine.

That balance is important to the conversion’s character. The NC is the largest and stiffest Miata generation, while its relatively low used-car prices make it a practical foundation for a substantial powertrain upgrade. Rocketeer has previously performed similar V6 conversions for the earlier NA and NB Miata generations.

Mazda engineers also experimented with a V6-powered Miata, although that factory development car never entered production. Rocketeer’s NC project therefore follows an idea that has existed around the MX-5 for years, but packages it as a supported commercial build.

Price and availability

A complete turnkey conversion costs £25,000 plus VAT in the UK, or approximately $32,000 before applicable taxes. Buyers must provide the NC donor car, and the conversion does not carry the same factory warranty coverage as a new vehicle.

The public debut at the 2026 Goodwood Revival gives the project a formal launch, while the 2027 build allocation indicates that interested owners will need to plan ahead. Regional accredited partners should also make the conversion more practical for customers outside the UK.