Rocketeer vs BBR vs Performance Link

Rocketeer vs BBR vs Performance Link

Author
Discussion

Skeptisk

Original Poster:

8,719 posts

121 months

Wednesday 12th March
quotequote all
I am thinking of buying an MX5 and modifying it. I am looking at the engine swaps from Rocketeer or Performance Link or supercharger conversion from BBR.

Has anyone looked into this before?

I think the V6 of the Rocketeer is probably the best on paper (larger capacity so more torque, NA and lighter than the existing engine) but it is quite pricey (I would have to get someone to do the work for me).

The BBR looks the best value, although I’ve heard they can be a bit iffy on post sale support.

Nickp82

3,515 posts

105 months

Wednesday 12th March
quotequote all
I bought the SC kit from BBR and Performance Link fitted it.
This was last year so their K24 swap was still in development, had it been available it would have been a tougher decision though I think the price differential would probably have made me make the same choice.

Galveston

748 posts

211 months

Saturday 15th March
quotequote all
I can’t really help answer the question but…

(1) the guys at Performance Link are great - they’ve worked on my NC, and I’ve been really impressed by their attitude and outcomes.

(2) as a road car, I would want the NC to have more low down torque more than extra top end. On a nice flowy B-road they’re plenty fast enough as standard to enjoy the chassis, but I also want to be able to slide the back around in the low speed corners and it doesn’t have the grunt to do that.

boxxer7

68 posts

60 months

Monday 17th March
quotequote all
Kind of done exactly what you are thinking of doing, my plan is to go supercharged as its a fair bit cheaper than the other two options, will probably go down the BBR route (there are other kits). That said when I was last at PL the Swap was looking so good, really does look like it was meant to be there.

The guys at Performance Link really know their stuff, back there next month for a map after I have got around to fitting the manifold sat in my garage.

griffdude

1,865 posts

260 months

Tuesday 18th March
quotequote all
boxxer7 said:
Kind of done exactly what you are thinking of doing, my plan is to go supercharged as its a fair bit cheaper than the other two options, will probably go down the BBR route (there are other kits). That said when I was last at PL the Swap was looking so good, really does look like it was meant to be there.

The guys at Performance Link really know their stuff, back there next month for a map after I have got around to fitting the manifold sat in my garage.
Trackdog Racing in the USA do a really good Rotrex kit.

Bofi in Huntingdon are real MX5 guru’s.

MattsCar

1,536 posts

117 months

I would say...regarding the Rocketeer kit...it is a £25k conversion if you factor in installation. As well as say £5k for a decent base car and then probably the best part of that again for suitable upgrades to take it up to a suitable standard in terms of brakes, suspension and chassis for a 300bhp engine.

If you want to go for it....make sure and be absolutely certain that you love the NA/ NB and that is EXACTLY what you want.

Reason I say this, is that in my opinion there are MUCH better overall packages that you can get at this price point. Whether you want something more track focused or something that is a cruiser.

mb26

224 posts

175 months

The standard NC has enough power to hold drifts in 2nd and 3rd gear .. unless you put track day tyres on it…

So, don’t put track day tyres on it

I regularly drive a standard NC on track with budget tyres.. and a BBR stage 2 supercharged NC with track tyres.

The supercharged NC on track tyres is 10s per lap faster round Bedord GT…
..But the standard one is more fun.



Galveston said:
I can’t really help answer the question but…

(1) the guys at Performance Link are great - they’ve worked on my NC, and I’ve been really impressed by their attitude and outcomes.

(2) as a road car, I would want the NC to have more low down torque more than extra top end. On a nice flowy B-road they’re plenty fast enough as standard to enjoy the chassis, but I also want to be able to slide the back around in the low speed corners and it doesn’t have the grunt to do that.

mb26

224 posts

175 months

100% agree !!

£30k is a lot of money for an MX5 even with a V6…

You would get a lot of Porsche / BMW / Caterham / etc for that money…

£2-5k gets you a decent NC, pay £6k to BBR and £2k for suspension and brakes and it’s a pretty quick track day toy that could be driven daily too.

Suggest you have a sit/drive in a BBR supercharged car and decide if something slower but better sounding is what you want for 2x the money..

MattsCar said:
I would say...regarding the Rocketeer kit...it is a £25k conversion if you factor in installation. As well as say £5k for a decent base car and then probably the best part of that again for suitable upgrades to take it up to a suitable standard in terms of brakes, suspension and chassis for a 300bhp engine.

If you want to go for it....make sure and be absolutely certain that you love the NA/ NB and that is EXACTLY what you want.

Reason I say this, is that in my opinion there are MUCH better overall packages that you can get at this price point. Whether you want something more track focused or something that is a cruiser.