GR86 Mods: The Best Upgrades for the Toyota GR86, in Order
Quick answer: the best GR86 mods for most owners, in order, are tires and brake pads and fluid, then an intake and a cat-back exhaust for sound and response, an oil cooler if you track the car, lowering springs or coilovers with sway bars, and finally lighter wheels and a big brake kit. The second-generation GR86 (2022 and later) has a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four, so bolt-ons add character and small gains rather than big power. The best upgrades make the car handle, stop and stay cool better. Before you buy, confirm that the part lists the 2022+ ZN8 GR86 (or ZD8 BRZ), because most first-generation 86, FR-S and BRZ parts don't fit.
The GR86 is one of the most rewarding cars to modify because it's light, rear-drive and balanced from the factory. It shares its platform and FA24 engine with the Subaru BRZ, so the aftermarket is deep and most parts fit both cars. Here's a sensible build order, what each mod actually does and the fitment details to check first.
GR86 Mods at a Glance
| Mod | What it does | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires, pads and fluid | More grip and fade-resistant braking | Every car, first | Street pads vs track pads |
| Cold air intake | Small top-end gains and more induction sound | Street and track | Emissions rules in your state |
| Cat-back or axle-back exhaust | Sound and tone | Daily drivers and weekend cars | Drone and volume |
| Oil cooler | Keeps oil temperatures in check on track | HPDE, autocross, time attack | Thermostatic vs non-thermostatic |
| Springs, coilovers, sway bars | Lower stance, less body roll, sharper turn-in | Street, autocross and track | Ride quality and alignment |
| Forged wheels and big brakes | Less unsprung weight, more braking capacity | Track days and serious builds | Brake kit and wheel clearance |
1. Start With Tires, Pads and Brake Fluid
The factory tires are the first thing most owners outgrow. A stickier summer tire changes the car more than any bolt-on, and it makes every later suspension and brake upgrade work better. If you plan to drive on track, add a performance brake pad and high-temperature brake fluid before your first event. These are the cheapest mods on this list and the ones that matter most for safety.
2. Cold Air Intake
Because the FA24 is naturally aspirated, an intake won't transform the car, but a well-engineered one adds a little top-end power and a lot more induction sound. The Eventuri black carbon fiber intake for the 2022-2026 GR86 uses a sealed carbon housing and Eventuri's patented Venturi design. Eventuri quotes dyno-tested gains of about 10-14 hp and 10-11 lb-ft toward the top of the rev range, with more mid-range improvement possible on a tuned car.
3. Exhaust
An exhaust is the mod that gives the GR86 the voice its chassis deserves. On a naturally aspirated car, the gains are modest, so choose for sound, drone and tip style. You have two main options:
- Axle-back: replaces only the rear silencers. It's simpler, more affordable and changes the tone without changing much else.
- Cat-back: replaces everything from the catalytic converter back, including the mid-pipe and resonator, for a bigger change in sound and flow.
The Borla ATAK cat-back for the 2022+ GR86 is a 3-inch single-exit T-304 stainless system with Borla's Polyphonic Harmonizer mufflers, built for an aggressive note without cabin drone. If you're torn between AWE's two sound levels, our guide to AWE Touring vs Track Edition for the GR86 walks through the difference.
4. Oil Cooler for Track Days
If your GR86 sees autocross, HPDE or time attack, oil temperature is the thing to watch. Long sessions at high rpm put a lot of heat into the oil, and the factory system wasn't designed for repeated hard laps. The Mishimoto thermostatic oil cooler kit for the 2022+ GR86 adds a 19-row external cooler mounted in the grille with -10AN braided lines and adds 0.75 quarts of oil capacity. The thermostatic version lets the oil warm up quickly on the street and only routes it through the cooler when it's hot. If you're building a dedicated race car, Mishimoto also offers a non-thermostatic version.
5. Suspension: Springs, Coilovers and Sway Bars
The GR86 already handles well, so suspension mods are about fine-tuning: lowering the center of gravity, reducing body roll and closing the wheel gap.
- Lowering springs are the budget option. They work with your factory dampers and suit a street car.
- Coilovers add adjustable ride height and damping. The Öhlins Road & Track coilovers for the GR86 use Öhlins' Dual Flow Valve monotube dampers with 20-click adjustable damping and height adjustment, aimed at owners who drive on the street during the week and on track on weekends.
- Sway bars reduce body roll and let you adjust the car's balance between understeer and oversteer.
Any change in ride height needs an alignment afterward. Many track drivers also add camber adjustment to get the most from wider or stickier tires.
6. Wheels and Big Brakes
Lighter wheels reduce unsprung and rotating weight, so the car turns in, accelerates and brakes a little more eagerly. The Titan 7 T-S5 forged wheel for the 2022-2026 GR86 comes in an 18x9 +47 size on the factory 5x100 bolt pattern and weighs 18.5 lb per wheel. Titan 7 designs it for big brake kit clearance and backs it with a lifetime structural warranty.
For regular track use, a big brake kit adds thermal capacity that the factory brakes can't match. Our Brembo big brake kits for the 2022-2026 GR86 cover front and rear GT kits and PISTA race kits, all listed for every ZN8 trim at factory ride height. Before you order, check that your wheels clear the caliper you choose.
What About Tuning and Forced Induction?
An ECU tune on a naturally aspirated GR86 mainly sharpens throttle response and smooths the power delivery, and the gains are modest without other hardware. Big power gains on this platform come from a supercharger or turbo kit, which is a much larger project involving fuel, cooling and clutch considerations. For most owners, the best value is in handling, braking and cooling, which is where the GR86 shines.
Suggested GR86 Build Stages
| Stage | Parts | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Summer tires, performance pads, high-temp fluid | Every car |
| Sound and response | Intake + cat-back or axle-back exhaust | Daily drivers |
| Stance and handling | Lowering springs or coilovers, sway bars, alignment | Street and autocross |
| Track ready | Oil cooler, track pads, coilovers, forged wheels | HPDE and time attack |
| Full build | Big brake kit, aero, seats and harness, forced induction | Dedicated track cars |
Things to Check Before You Mod Your GR86
- Generation: the 2022+ GR86 (ZN8) and 2022+ BRZ (ZD8) use different parts from the 2013-2021 86, FR-S and BRZ. Make sure the listing says 2022+ or ZN8.
- GR86 vs BRZ: most engine, exhaust and suspension parts fit both, but bumpers and aero usually differ, so check the listing.
- Emissions: intakes and exhaust parts aren't legal for street use in every state, including California. Check the part's emissions status first.
- Warranty: in the US, a dealer generally has to show that an aftermarket part caused a failure before denying a related claim. Keep receipts and your stock parts.
Not sure which part fits your car? Call (310) 231-0292 or text (310) 886-3111.
GR86 Mods FAQ
What is the first mod to do on a GR86?
Tires, brake pads and brake fluid. They make the biggest difference in how the car drives and stops, and every later suspension or brake upgrade depends on them.
What mods add horsepower to a GR86?
On the naturally aspirated FA24, an intake, exhaust and tune each add small gains. Large power increases require a supercharger or turbo kit.
Do first-generation 86 parts fit the 2022+ GR86?
Mostly no. Intakes, exhausts, coilovers and many brake parts are specific to the 2022+ ZN8, so always check that the listing names your model year.
Do I need an oil cooler on my GR86?
Not for street driving. For track days, autocross and time attack, an oil cooler helps keep oil temperatures under control during long, hard sessions.
Do GR86 and BRZ parts interchange?
Most engine, exhaust and suspension parts fit both the 2022+ GR86 and BRZ. Bumpers, aero and some trim pieces are model-specific.
Will mods void my GR86 warranty?
Not automatically. In the US, the dealer generally has to show that an aftermarket part caused the failure before denying a related claim, though claims on modified parts can still be disputed.