Best Performance Mods Every Toyota GR86 Owner Should Get

If you want to get more performance out of your GR86, then these mods should be at the top of your to-do list

There are a lot of mods available in the aftermarket for the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, and Scion FR-S, and for very good reason. This platform is inexpensive but offers an incredibly fun driving experience with ample amounts of opportunities to modify for personalization and performance. The Toyota 86’s original debut was in 2012 as the GT86, but soon after, a slightly more powerful option came along in the form of the GR86.

The Toyota GR86 is the quintessential driver's car, with the focus being heavily on the driving experience. The general consensus is that the one thing lacking on this platform is power. The GT86 produces a little over 200 horsepower, and that's not terribly exciting.

GT86

2.0 liter

200 horsepower

2012-2020

GR86

2.4 liter

228 horsepower

2013-current

Luckily this platform has some of the best aftermarket support in the industry. So if you are looking to extract as much power as possible from your 86, then here are the performance mods that you should consider.

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The Toyota GT86 is known for high oil temps. When the temps get too high, it can start to break down engine components fairly rapidly due to lack of proper lubrication. That is why one of the best mods you can install to boost performance–and prevent engine failure, is an oil cooler.

Engine oil coolers are a simple install and save a ton of hassle, especially if you ever plan to take your 86 to the track. An engine oil cooler is a heat-exchange device much like a car radiator, but its purpose is to remove excess heat from the engine oil. An oil cooler can reduce the oil temperature by as much as 30 degrees. Generally, engine oil coolers are beneficial for high-performance, high-revving engines. So if you are going to slap any performance mods on your 86, definitely think about starting here.

With the Toyota GR86, Subaru BRZ, and Scion FR-S seeming to lack when it comes to power, you are most likely already looking for ways to squeeze out as much horsepower as you can from your ride. One of the most popular mods on this platform is a set of headers that stock exhaust manifold is very restrictive. A set of good headers can unlock between 15-20 horsepower and give a significant bump in torque. Additionally, the is going to really wake up the sound of your engine.

There are a couple of options to consider when thinking about headers for your 86. There are equal-length headers and unequal-length headers. Equal-length headers are going to give you the most total gains in power and torque. All of your gains are going to come at the top end of the rev range and will make the car sound more like a traditional inline-four engine

Unequal-length headers are going to improve mid-range torque, and it is not going to give quite the same top-end gains. This option is more important for spirited street driving. Unequal-length headers are also going to amplify that boxer sound of the FA20 engine, which a lot of people really like.

Another thing to consider is whether you're looking for catted headers or catless headers. The stock exhaust manifold has the catalytic converter integrated, and many of these products are available with an integrated catalytic converter. You can also get a catless option which does produce a little bit more gains and a lot more sound but may not be legal for street driving depending on where you are located, so be sure to look into the laws in your area before making a decision.

If you are going to do headers, then you absolutely must tune the car as well. You cannot simply install a performance engine mod without a tune and expect to get the extra horsepower. With tuning, you can go simple with a flash tune, which generally works really well for most performance upgrades. The other, more extensive option is a full tune on a dyno, which takes a lot more work and generally isn't needed with most street mods.

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If you add more power, you are adding more speed, so you are going to want to be able to stop faster as well. Upgrading your brakes is another top to-do list item. For street driving, you should think about swapping out for some performance or sport brake pads immediately. Stock pads are just not sufficient once you start to ramp up your performance.

Luckily there are some pretty inexpensive options available that work great for aggressive street driving. Stock calipers and rotors should be plenty adequate unless you are taking your car to the track. While you are swapping out the brake pads, you should also make sure you flush out your brake fluid and swap it for a higher boiling point and higher quality brake fluid. A higher quality brake fluid stands up to the temperatures that are generated during more spirited street or track driving and makes the pedal feel much better.

Now if you got a little bit more money to spend, then you can invest in rotors as well. Upgrading rotors give you some features that will greatly improve your braking performance, like slotted or cross-drilled rotors for heat dissipation and keeping the surface area between the pad and rotor clean, so you get the best performance out of your braking system. After-market rotors are generally made from higher-quality materials which are less likely to warp under.

Upgrading the suspension on your Toyota GR86 is also a good idea. Installing custom coil-overs, for example, gives you more clearance for wider wheels and tires. You are also able to adjust the ride height to your liking. A good suspension upgrade can also stiffen up your ride, thus reducing body roll through corners. Things like camber bolts, control arms, and struts will also help you to dial in your ride preferences on the GR86.

You can opt for different styles like:

There are many variables to choose from. Make sure you do your research and find what suits your needs best. You are not only going to add to the performance value but also the look of your ride.

RELATED: Here’s What Makes The 2023 Toyota GR86 The Ultimate Sports Car

If you are going to get any mod in this list, this is the one you should get. Stock tires are rock hard, they are not going to hook up, and they are not going to give you the best driving performance so that you can really enjoy this car and what it has to offer. Some good stickier racing tires really change how the car feels. You can really do a lot by just putting on a good set of tires. But if you are going to be doing performance mods on your GR86, you will be doing those mods a disservice by not adding good wheels and tires.

With this platform having one of the best aftermarket support in the industry, the options are endless. These mods are other great options that you should strongly consider, adding even more power and driving fun to your Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, or Scion FR-S.

With these cars, you have a great base to build upon and turn into your perfect dream car. Just play around with it and have fun with all the possibilities.

Sandra Sandel is a freelance writer with a passion for cars. She grew up going to car shows and later developed a taste for imports. While she appreciates all builds, her heart and soul lie in anything fast with a manual transmission. When not writing about cars, you can probably find Sandra hanging out with her cats, looking at the stars, or gaming.