nick9one1
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| posted on 10/4/26 at 10:46 PM |
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Ssc stylus zeteC to aj-v6 swap
I've got my eye on a stylus with a 1.6 zetec, twin Weber 40's, type 9 gearbox and a live rear axle (presume MK2 escort).
I like the car bout would really like to put an aj-30 in it.
From what I've researched, I would need the engine, an mx5 or Jag gearbox. Then speeduino/mega squirt etc.
I would have to fabricate new brackets (which is fine).
Is there anything else major I have missed?
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Ugg10
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| posted on 11/4/26 at 07:16 AM |
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From memory of my Fury which has a similar chassis, the engine bay is quite small, a rover v8 will fit but this is actually quite a small engine
having single cam shafts. Also I think the engine is slightly angles and off set to the passenger side so exhausts may not be equal, finally the
tunnel is quite tight even for a type 9 so anything much bigger may not fit. Definitely worth doing some measurements to make sure it all physically
fits.
I know there is at least one Mazda V6 engine in a Fury/Stylus (Claire Rule?) that might be worth looking at pictures for and there is a Jag V6 project
on here that has quite a bit of info, worth looking to see if there is an adaptor plate for a 5speed RX8 box (which I think is the same as the MX5 but
with different bolt pattern) that might fit.
Sounds like an interesting project but if it is a Zetec E (the 1.6 version is not up to much), not a Zetec SE, the easiest swap would be for a 2.0l
version and twin 45s or bike carbs. All the best and keep us updated on progress.
---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
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Slimy38
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| posted on 11/4/26 at 07:17 AM |
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Driveshaft to get from the new box to the existing diff?
Will you need to 'adjust' the interior for the gearshift? That could be a challenge depending on how tidy the interior is.
Exhaust fabrication/routing?
Is the car on a Q plate? If so you don't need to worry about the change in emissions, if not then it could be 'interesting'.
As a side project I have been looking out for Jag/Mondeo V6's for my own car (not a Stylus), they seem to be a bit more expensive than they have
been. I don't know whether they're getting harder to find in running condition? I'm not sure whether my selection criteria is a bit
tight.
Please post updates though, I'm very interested in how you get on and any gotchas that you have to deal with.
[Edited on 11/4/26 by Slimy38]
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40inches
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| posted on 11/4/26 at 08:55 AM |
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If you look in my photo archive there are lots of photos
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Nile_rt
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| posted on 11/4/26 at 12:27 PM |
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If you can find a Mazda KL V6 engine that's what I'd use. Smaller and lighter than Ford/Jag engine
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number-1
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| posted on 12/4/26 at 09:53 PM |
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Are you on the Facebook SSC stylus owners club page? Im pretty sure someone on there has the Jag set up with the V6 3L
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dai1983
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| posted on 16/4/26 at 06:22 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by number-1
Are you on the Facebook SSC stylus owners club page? Im pretty sure someone on there has the Jag set up with the V6 3L
This.
The Jag inlet is quite big so the car above has it sticking out the bonnet but the st220 is smaller. They are short on the ground now so priced
accordingly. Rocketeer do carbon plenums that are small and would give loads of clearance.
Jag gearbox is pretty small so a good thing and read it was hard to get a solid flywheel for them.
Would go duratec 2.5 with cams or ecoboost 1.6 tbh
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scudderfish
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| posted on 17/4/26 at 10:07 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
Is the car on a Q plate? If so you don't need to worry about the change in emissions, if not then it could be 'interesting'.
[Edited on 11/4/26 by Slimy38]
Emissions are tested on the age of the engine at first registration, tax is based on the engine currently fitted. I'd expect to be able to get
better emissions out of an EFI engine than carbs
I've got a Fury with a V8 (and Speeduino, used to be MS1) if you want any photos of a large lump in one. My gearbox is an LT77. Definitely an
interesting sounding project, where in the country are you?
Regards,
David
[Edited on 17/4/26 by scudderfish]
https://vetuner.co.uk
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nick9one1
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| posted on 20/4/26 at 08:55 AM |
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thanks scudderfish.
I was also looking at using the speeduino.
The Fury's look a little easier to work on as the have the full flip front bonnet. The stylus was changed to a one piece body, (for aesthetic
reasons), but this undoubtedly makes it more awkward to work on without removing the whole body. But they did also make the engine bay larger, which
will help.
this isn't the car I'm looking at but is a good example of the bodywork changes.
I'm based in Nottingham
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spegru
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| posted on 10/5/26 at 09:12 AM |
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As luck would have it I have a stylus (with zetec) and also a Gilbern invader with an AJ30.
For anything like this you will probably need and X Type sump as the S type one has a ridiculous front bowl thing. You probably wont be able to use
the original jaguar inlet plenum like I did on the Gilbern, so youlll need to think rocketeer carbon thing or Mondeo v6 or fab something yourself
similar to HJR Garage on youtube.
Youll need a standalone ECU. Im using Motorsport electronics but I hear good things about Emerald.
These engines are cheap and plentiful and seem quite compact, Length should not be a problem and although you might think they are alot wider in fact
that may not be too bad as exhausts point downwards. id suggest side mounted silencers. I already did that on one side for my Zetec stylus. Height
may be more of an issue (see inlet) Steering shaft clearance round exhaust will likely be a consideration too but not insurmountable. Custom exhaust
manifold may also be necessary. I used modified second had mondeo v6 bits.
Id say that the stylus is a bit deeper in the engine bay than a fury and also that a flip front is not that necessary
Gearbox wise probably the simplest is to use the jaguar box or an RX8 box with adaptor plate from the guy who advertises on facebook - thats what I
have on the Gilbern. Some tunnel mods could be necessary on a stylus and the gear lever position could end up too far back - although I have a
solution for that.
Happy to help as i do have some useful reference points!
[Edited on 10/5/26 by spegru]
Check out Invader Garage on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3C55qk-tbKc0WjmxGqFoXg
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mgb281
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| posted on 13/5/26 at 06:16 PM |
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There is quite a bit of info out there if you can find, the first useful bit is how to modify the RX8 adapter plate to fit a Mondeo V6 solid flywheel
which is in the following link; VW 1K0973202
Having done that you need to find a clutch, again Rock Auto can supply LUK or Exedy plus a few cheaper ones. A Ford Contour (Mondeo) sump is around
£50
Gaskets etc are also much cheaper as well.
Don't forget that you will have to pay VAT and Shipping on top but DHL normally deliver in four days, Summit Racing are another good source for
parts but you have to pay the VAT when it arrives in the UK
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nick9one1
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| posted on 14/5/26 at 10:44 AM |
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Thanks for the replies - Some really useful info suggested.
Summarising here:
Sump: Use the Jaguar X-Type sump or a Mondeo V6 sump
Gearbox Options: Jaguar gearbox or an RX8 gearbox via an adapter plate
Flywheel: A Mondeo V6 solid flywheel can be adapted to fit the RX8 setup.
Drivetrain Mods: custom prop-shaft and potentially modify the transmission tunnel
Bonnet Clearance: The standard Jag inlet plenum is very tall. Use a Mondeo V6 inlet, Rocketeer carbon plenums, or fabricate a low-profile setup.
Exhaust: Space will be tight around the steering shaft. Modify Mondeo V6 manifolds. Side-mounted silencers to save space.
ECU: Speeduino, ME (Motorsport Electronics), or Emerald.
In regards to the gearbox choice, how is the gearing using the RX8 box on a AJ-30?
The RX-8 was designed for a high-revving, low-torque rotary engine and the Jag box was designed for a torquey, lower-revving V6, their gear ratios and
driving characteristics are going to be massively different?
[Edited on 14/5/26 by nick9one1]
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nick9one1
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| posted on 14/5/26 at 10:58 AM |
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I've been querying Googles Gemini Pro (AI) on my question
If you're dropping a 240hp AJ30 into a Stylus that only weighs around 600650 kg, you're dealing with a monstrous power-to-weight ratio. At
that point, your acceleration is less about engine power and much more about rear-wheel traction and time lost during gear shifts. Every
manual gear change costs you roughly 0.3 to 0.5 seconds, which makes a massive difference in a car this light.
Here is how the gearboxes stack up for those benchmark sprints based on the gearing numbers:
060 mph: The RX-8 5-Speed Wins
Mazda RX-8 5-Speed: This is the clear winner for the 060 sprint. Because 2nd gear tops out at 64 mph, you only have to make one gear change
(1st to 2nd).
Mazda RX-8 6-Speed: 2nd gear ends frustratingly early at 57 mph. This forces you to execute a second, time-consuming shift into 3rd gear just
to cross the 60 mph line. You'll lose about half a second to the 5-speed here.
Jaguar Getrag 221: The weirdly short 2nd gear limits you to 53 mph. Just like the RX-8 6-speed, you're forced into a second gear change to
hit 60.
0100 mph: A Closer Race (Slight Edge to the RX-8 6-Speed)
Mazda RX-8 6-Speed: To reach 100 mph, you have to shift into 4th gear (max 109 mph), meaning you make three shifts in total. However, because
the gears are so tightly packed, every time you shift, the engine drops right back into the absolute peak of its powerband. If you can shift quickly,
the relentless, close-ratio acceleration will likely edge out the others at higher speeds.
Mazda RX-8 5-Speed: You also need three shifts to reach 100 mph (shifting into 4th gear, which maxes at 130 mph). The longer gears mean the
RPMs will drop a bit further between shifts compared to the 6-speed, but the AJ30 V6 has plenty of torque to pull through it.
Jaguar Getrag 221: Again, you need three shifts to get into 4th gear. However, the massive gap between 2nd (53 mph) and 3rd (84 mph) means the
RPMs will drop significantly when you make that specific shift, potentially bogging down your acceleration time slightly compared to the close-ratio
Mazdas.
The Verdict
If you care about pub bragging rights for your 060 time, the Mazda RX-8 5-speed is the undisputed champion because it saves you that crucial
gear shift. It's generally considered the best all-around driver's gearbox for these V6 kit cars!
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mgb281
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| posted on 14/5/26 at 06:42 PM |
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The Rx8 gearbox is just one use of the Aisin 6 speed gearbox, it was also used in the Honda S2000 and Lexus IS200 and maybe the IS250, it wasn't
designed for the very high RPM of the 231 engine and due to that the synchro's fail. The maximum speeds quoted in the gears are with what CWP
ratios? I played around with a gear ratio calculator to get what I wanted which was a comfortable cruiser, therefore fifth gear gives me 28mph per
1000 engine revs, also 100mph in third gear. In a Lotus 7 clone the aerodynamics will restrict you maximum speed, remember that torque is all
important and since the AJV6 can produce a fairy level 200ftlbs from 2000 rpm the spacing of the gears is less relevant.
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mgb281
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| posted on 15/5/26 at 07:07 AM |
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I forgot to add that you dont modify the Mondeo V6 flywheel but you move the starter motor inwards by IIRC 4.25mm and swap a Zetec starter motor
pinion for the S Type one
The Mondeo ST220 inlet manifold probably sits as low as anything else, I modified mine so it faces forward rather than backwards so that it sits under
a MGB bonnet.
Virtually any aftermarket ECU will work, choosing one where there is already a map to use makes it simpler.
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nick9one1
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| posted on 15/5/26 at 08:23 AM |
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good point. I forgot to tell it they would all be using the same final drive
Analysis of the Setup:
The RX-8 5-Speed (The Dark Horse): This gearbox (found in the lower-power 192ps European/JDM RX-8s) actually has the best-suited gear ratios for a V6
swap into an Escort. It has a much longer 1st gear (3.136) compared to the others, meaning you get a very usable 37 mph out of 1st gear instead of
just making tire smoke.
The 1:1 Ceiling: Both the Jaguar 5-speed and the RX-8 6-speed reach their direct 1:1 ratio in 5th gear. At the 6,800 RPM redline, both will top out at
roughly 118 mph in 5th gear with a 3.89 rear axle.
Highway Cruising Reality: At a cruising speed of 70 mph, the Jaguar 5-speed will sit at roughly 4,000 RPM in top gear. Both RX-8 gearboxes feature an
overdrive top gear (5th for the 5-speed, 6th for the 6-speed), which drops that 70 mph cruising RPM down to a much more comfortable 3,250 RPM
(5-speed) or 3,350 RPM (6-speed).
[Edited on 15/5/26 by nick9one1]
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