Best GR86 & BRZ Mods: Suspension, Wheels, Tires & Bolt-Ons

The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ (2022+) represent the second generation of one of the purest modern enthusiast platforms. Powered by Subaru’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter FA24D it gives a nice bump in horsepower, and of course, gets rid of the nasty torque dip that plagued the first generations.

The GR86/BRZ is truly a driver's car. It rewards momentum and responds incredibly well to chassis tuning. From subtle daily driver upgrades to fully prepped track builds, this platform responds incredibly well to the right combination of suspension, wheels, tires, and carefully chosen bolt-ons.

So how do you modify one of these properly? Let’s get into it.

Getting Started: Ideal Order of Operations

Like we always say, a smart build focuses on improving the car’s strengths first: balance, handling, and driver feel. You’re free to go in whatever direction you like, but this is the order we typically recommend:

1. Fixing Subaru’s Mistake – The FA24 engine in these cars is unfortunately known for using an excessive amount of RTV for the engine gaskets, which flakes off and finds its way into the oil pickup. We recommend fixing that first!
2. Suspension upgrades – Improve handling precision and dial in fitment. Lowering and stiffening the chassis completely transforms how these cars feel and is arguably one of the best modifications you can do.
3. Wheels and Tires – Choose wisely; wheels are often the center point of these builds.
4. Bolt-On Performance – Just because it’s a naturally aspirated platform, doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from bolt-on performance parts.
5. Tuning – Essential for getting the most out of your bolt-ons.
6. Aesthetic upgrades – To widebody or not to widebody. The choice is up to you.

Fixing the FA24 RTV Issue

Yes, this is a real thing, and we’ve experienced it first-hand. From the factory, there is an excessive amount of RTV used for gaskets all over this engine. Causing flakes of it to break off and eventually find their way to the oil pan and the oil pickup. Over time, the pieces of RTV collect on the screen of the oil pickup and could potentially cause an oil starvation issue. We highly recommend dropping the oil pan of your car if it has not been done already, to clean out any of the RTV that could have gathered on the screen of the oil pickup. We did this on our own GR86 and pulled out a surprising amount. If you are going to be tracking this car or looking at pushing more power out of it, this is a must-do to have some peace of mind.

Best Suspension Upgrades For The Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ

If there’s one thing that this chassis responds well to, it’s suspension tuning. The GR86 / BRZ already has a fantastic foundation, and the right suspension setup is exactly what it needs to lock in what this car was made to do.

Coilovers

A proper coilover setup lowers the center of gravity and tightens up the chassis without ruining daily drivability (unless you want to).

• BC Racing BR Series – Affordable, height and damping adjustable. A great entry-level option for street-driven builds.
• Fortune Auto 500 Series – Track-capable with digressive valving and custom spring rates. A serious step up for more track-focused builds.
• KW V3 – A premium option with separate compression and rebound adjustment. Excellent for dual-purpose street and track builds.

Lowering Springs

If you don’t need full adjustability, lowering springs are a cost-effective way to improve stance and slightly reduce body roll.

• Eibach Pro-Kit – Subtle drop while maintaining near OEM ride quality.
• H&R Sport Springs – Slightly more aggressive drop with a firmer feel.

Sway Bars and Control Arms

The stock sway bars on the GR86 and BRZ are decent for daily driving and spirited corners, but there’s definitely room to improve chassis balance and cornering precision. If you want to reduce understeer and tighten up the car’s feel in turns, an upgraded rear sway bar is a simple and effective first step. For those looking to fully sharpen handling, upgrading both the front and rear sway bars along with adjustable control arms is our recommended approach.

• Whiteline Adjustable Sway Bars – Helps reduce body roll and fine-tune handling balance.
• Whiteline Adjustable Rear Lower Control Arms – Helps dial in that rear fitment and controls the camber of the rear wheels to your liking.

Bolt-On Performance For The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ

The GR86 and Subaru BRZ have quickly become one of the most modified vehicles on the market today, which is one of the reasons why the aftermarket support is so plentiful. That makes choosing which parts to go with a bit tricky. Here’s what we would recommend:

Intake Systems

• Perrin – Affordable, big change in induction sound, comes in a variety of colors.
• aFe Takeda – Balanced cold air system with good airflow and heat resistance, offers decent gains and a noticeable increase in induction sound.
• K&N – Semi-enclosed intake system with reusable/washable filter and an aggressive induction sound.

Exhaust

• Invidia N1 – Delivers a deep aggressive tone without being overly loud or raspy. Some mid-range highway drone is possible.
• Greddy Revolution RS – Loud and rumbly single exit option for those who want a pronounced exhaust note.
• Borla S-Type – Deep rumbly tone without being aggressively loud, a solid all-around option.

Headers

• Equal vs. Unequal Length – Unequal length headers maximize the “Boxer Rumble,” while equal length headers give a smoother exhaust sound.

Front Pipes and Overpipes

If you’re upgrading the full exhaust, consider new front pipes and overpipes. They can be pricey and offer catalytic converter delete options (off-road use only).

Wrapping it up

The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are incredibly rewarding cars to modify because every upgrade you make translates directly to a more engaging driving experience. From shoring up the chassis with sway bars and control arms, dialing in the right wheels and tires, to carefully chosen bolt-ons and exhaust upgrades, each step enhances the car’s natural balance and driver-focused character. Whether you’re building a subtle daily driver or a fully prepped track machine, the key is to take a thoughtful, staged approach. Improve the car’s strengths first, then add power and flair where it counts. At the end of the day, a well-rounded GR86 or BRZ build isn’t just about numbers on a dyno, it’s about making a car that’s fun, responsive, and truly yours.