Why the GR86 is a Modern Enthusiast Favorite
We know that most people typically don’t like taking the long way home, but when you’re cruising in a Toyota GR86, that’s an entirely different story. This rear-wheel-drive coupe is light and quick on its feet (or tires really) and is playful enough that even going to the grocery store is a fun event that feels like you’re hitting the track. It doesn’t boast crazy tech or flashy gimmicks, it’s just a driver-focused setup that excels at making you feel connected to the road in a way that most cars will never come close to replicating.
These reasons are why gearheads are so passionate about this car. It’s already an incredibly solid platform right out of the box and keeps the door wide open for modifications of any kind. You can stiffen up the suspension, create more sound with exhaust upgrades, and so much more we’d run out of room trying to list them all. This is a car that’s begging to be built and the best part is that it really doesn’t take much to turn it into a powerful weapon on four tires.
What Makes the GR86 Worth Building?
Yes, the GR86 is fun to a certain extent with its stock options equipped, but that’s not the reason this car drives enthusiasts nuts. It’s really looking at how much better this car becomes at everything it does with even just a few upgrades. This isn’t just a good driver’s car, it’s really a rock-solid platform capable of being pushed, tuned, and personalized to the moon and back. It doesn’t matter if you use your GR86 as a daily driver or you’re chasing lap times at the track, this vehicle is a rare combination of responsiveness, affordability, and upgrade-friendly potential. So let’s dig into what makes this platform great and how to make it even better.
Wheels and Tires Make All the Difference
You know as well as we do that new wheels and tires are one of the easiest and most effective ways to upgrade the capability of your ride, and that statement rings just as true with the GR86. Stock options are fine, but you’ll get incredible boosts to both performance and style with aftermarket options. Think better grip, sharper turn-in, and a more aggressive stance to help complete your look. A quality set of lightweight wheels will lower your unsprung weight, improve your responsiveness, and give your GR86 an added bit of visual punch that goes a long way.
When you’re looking at sizing, 17s and 18s are the ideal choices for wider setups that help maximize traction while avoiding rubbing, especially if you’re also rocking coilovers or lowering springs. For tires, grippy summer compounds can completely change how your ride feels in corners, whether that’s on the backroads or track days. MAPerformance has an incredible selection of wheel/tire combos, so you’ll never feel short on options that fit your driving goals and style.
Boost Your GR86 with the MAPerformance Air Intake System!
Suspension Upgrades that Change Everything
There’s nothing wrong with the stock suspension for the GR86, but switching to an aftermarket system shows you that there’s so much more to be unlocked. Just throwing on a set of coilovers alone makes a huge difference, giving you that perfect ride height you’ve been chasing while making you feel more planted through corners at the same time. Upgrading your suspension is about more than looks, it’s about discovering the level of control and feedback that this car was made for, all while raising eyebrows at the same time.
Things start to get really crazy with other upgrades like beefier sway bars, upgraded bushings, even a slight camber adjustment. All of a sudden, you’re hitting corners like your ride just lost 500 pounds, and everything feels sharper, more responsive, and a comprehensive feel of customization that can only be described as feeling you. It doesn’t matter if you set up your GR86 for street driving, track days, or some kind of combination, this vehicle rewards every tweak, every adjustment, and dialing it in has never felt easier.
Exhaust Mods That Let Your GR86 Breathe
Normally, the GR86 sounds fine. It gets the job done, but we know that we can do better than fine. The quickest way to change up that sound into something that can be heard before you’re even in view is a custom exhaust setup. You could go axle-back for greater emphasis on bark or a full-on cat-back system to really open your exhaust up, either way, the right exhaust upgrades will completely change how your GR86 sounds, and even how it feels to drive.
More than just pure noise, switching to an aftermarket exhaust system will help your GR86 breathe better as well. You’ll see smoother flow, less restriction, even reduced weight to add up to a sharper throttle response and an increase in power where it matters most. You can even include a set of headers to wake up more midrange torque and give your ride a more aggressive edge. But before you go overboard on this, one callout that’s important to make is make sure the setup you want is street legal in your area, because some of the best-sounding setups can be a little rowdy that others might not care for
Intake and Tuning Options to Wake It Up
There’s almost an addictive feeling about driving a car that responds instantly, which is exactly what tuning and intake upgrades can deliver for your GR86. A well-designed intake upgrade does more than move air better, it also provides sharper throttle, cleaner pulls in the rev range, and even a deeper, more aggressive sound that kicks in exactly when you want it to. It helps set the tone for a more connected drive, both literally and figuratively.
Once you have the intake figured out, tuning is the adjustment that brings it all together. Getting the right ECU setup makes every input feel a little bit tighter, while your throttle mapping, power delivery, and ignition gets dialed in to fully match how you drive. Whether you’re looking to chase lap times or get smoother acceleration, a good tune will turn your GR86 into a car that pulls harder, reacts faster, and will feel more locked in.
Transform Your Toyota GR86 with Upgrades from MAPerformance!
It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting to plan out your build or already knee-deep into it, the one thing that’s clear about the GR86 platform was that it was made to be driven, modified, and pushed to the limits. With the right upgrades, you can turn your GR86 into something seriously special without sacrificing that fun, tossable character. And when you know what upgrades you want for your ride, MAPerformance will have everything you need to shape your build exactly how you like it. We offer free shipping and quick delivery for every purchase, as well as some incredible financing options that will make your purchase feel easier and more affordable than ever. And when you’re looking at new wheels and tires, when you bundle any of our in-stock options, you’ll get free mounting and balancing included as well. Build your GR86 your way, and enjoy every moment of it!
Comments (0)
There are no comments for this article. Be the first one to leave a message!