Alfa Romeo V6 Engine Conversion

Matra Murena – developed and refined by Carjoy since the 1990s

Experience Power

Explore the Benefits of a V6 Engine

Over the years, Carjoy has regularly been asked whether it is possible to replace the original four-cylinder engine in a Matra Murena with a V6. The answer is yes — and we know exactly how to do it. We developed this conversion ourselves in the 1990s, and have been refining it ever since.

Why Choose a V6?

Discover the advantages of V6 engines, known for their performance, smoothness, and efficiency. Learn why they're a strong choice for many drivers.

Understanding the Engine

Get a closer look at the mechanics behind V6 engines, including design features and how they deliver power on the road.

What's Involved in the Conversion

Find out what is needed to transform your Murena into a mighty ad powerful 3.0L V6. also see why these are required

The Installation Process

Learn about the steps involved in installing a V6 engine in your vehicle. We'll guide you through what to expect.

Regulatory Guidelines

Understand the regulations surrounding V6 engine installations to ensure your vehicle meets all necessary standards.

Why a V6

The Matra Murena is already a special car. Lightweight, mid-engined, with a distinctive three-seat layout and a design that still turns heads today. But for many Matra enthusiasts, one question keeps coming back: what if it had a proper V6?

The answer starts with sound. The Alfa Romeo Busso V6 has one of the most iconic engine notes ever made — a deep, musical growl that no four-cylinder can replicate. The moment you start the engine, you know this car is something different.

Then there are the numbers. The original Murena engine produces between 90 hp for the 1.6 and 142 hp for the 2.2S. The Alfa V6 delivers 180 hp as standard — in a car weighing approximately 1000 kg. With QV camshafts and chip tuning, that figure rises to around 250 hp. A modern 180 hp car typically weighs 1500 kg or more. The Murena V6 is in a completely different league.

But perhaps the most compelling reason is exclusivity. There are only a handful of Murena V6 conversions in the world. Every one of them was built by us. This is not a catalogue option — it is a bespoke project with decades of development behind it.

If you have ever wondered what a Murena could really feel like, this is the answer.

The Right Engine: Alfa Romeo 3.0 V6 Busso

We chose the Alfa Romeo 3.0 V6 12V Busso engine for several specific reasons:

Aluminium block — lightweight, so the rear of the car does not become too heavy
Gearbox dimensions are comparable to the Murena’s original unit
The engine and gearbox fit within the Murena 2.2 engine bay
Standard output of 180 hp, with plenty of torque at low revs
The gear shift feel is comparable to the original Murena system

We deliberately chose the Murena 2.2 chassis, as it provides more space for the conversion. The first donor engine came from an Alfa Romeo 164, purchased complete and running.

What the Conversion Involves

This is not a bolt-on kit. Every aspect of the car needs to be adapted. Over the years we have developed, tested and had professionally produced all the necessary components:

Subframe and Drivetrain

We designed a custom subframe to mount the V6 and gearbox correctly to the Murena chassis. We also built a special driveshaft combining the V6 gearbox output with the Murena rear suspension stub axle.

Gear Linkage

The shift system required completely custom components, which we developed in-house and had professionally manufactured by a specialist company.

Cooling System

We designed and had custom-made cooling pipes, hoses and adapters specifically for this conversion. A new cooling radiator with all associated hoses and pipes is mandatory — most Murena cooling systems are original and therefore heavily corroded and partially blocked. The V6 generates more heat than the original engine and needs a fully renewed cooling system. This is also a condition of our warranty on the conversion materials.

Fuel System

The fuel tank has been relocated to the front of the car — similar to how Renault Alpine solved this on their V6 models. This adds approximately 40 kg to the front axle, which actually improves weight distribution. A new fuel supply and return line system was built, along with a plastic tank, adapted fuel gauge and external fuel pump with proper filtration.

Exhaust

The heavy cast iron Alfa V6 exhaust manifolds were replaced with a custom lightweight spaghetti manifold we built ourselves and had professionally finished by an exhaust specialist. The result is a beautiful, sporty V6 sound that genuinely gives the car character.

Wiring

The wiring loom is fully adapted to connect the V6 systems to the original Murena dashboard and auxiliary systems.

Known Points and Lessons Learned

Timing Tensioner

The original oil-fed tensioner on the Alfa V6 is known to leak. Alfa Romeo introduced an improvement themselves, but we recommend fitting a conversion kit for an oil pressure tensioner from the start. This is far better than risking a jumped timing belt.

Always Use a Rebuilt Engine

Due to the tight space in the engine bay, there is almost no room to work on the engine once it is installed. If a head gasket fails or timing components need replacing, the entire engine must come out. For this reason, we only install fully rebuilt and reconditioned engines and gearboxes. A used engine brings too much risk. We have seen it go wrong, and it is not a pleasant situation for anyone.

Upgrade Potential

With QV camshafts and chip tuning, approximately 250 hp is achievable — in a car weighing around 1080 kg. This is a serious performance upgrade.

A word on expectations: This combination is based on technology from the 1980s. It rewards a driver with feeling and respect for the machinery. We have had customers who treated their Murena V6 like an F1 car and then returned with warranty claims after damaging the engine. One even complained that the pop-up headlights opened by themselves above 240 km/h. Our goal is more acceleration and pulling power — not an engine that gets abused. Treated well, this conversion is nearly indestructible and an absolute joy to drive. We drive one ourselves.

Suspension and Brakes

We have developed a specially adapted SPAX shock absorber set for this conversion. The standard Murena 2.2 brakes are adequate up to around 180–200 km/h, but for track use we recommend upgrading these as well.

Installation: Your Options

We supply the conversion kit, but there are different ways to approach the installation. Here is an honest overview:

By Carjoy

We carry out the full conversion at our workshop in Leerdam. This is the option we recommend. We know every detail of this conversion and can guarantee the result. Full warranty applies on both parts and labour.