We baseline-tested a 2024 Toyota GR86, then measured how a targeted set of street-legal bolt-ons affects real-world drivability and track performance. This is a back-to-back comparison with instrumented data and several HPDE sessions, focusing on value, reliability, and daily usability.
Our test car is a 2024 Toyota GR86 Premium 6MT (2.4-liter flat-four, 228 hp/184 lb-ft, 2,850 lb) with a Torsen LSD. Baseline tests on stock 215/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4s and factory alignment. At 75 F and near sea level on 91 octane, the car ran 0–60 in 6.2 s (1-ft rollout), 5–60 in 6.6, quarter mile 14.7 @ 97, 60–0 in 109 ft, and 0.94 g. On our 1.7-mile club circuit, best lap was 1:28.9.
Upgrades: 17x9 +35 wheels with 245/40R17 Bridgestone RE-71RS; KW V3 coilovers set mid damping, ride height -25 mm; alignment front camber -2.7, rear -2.0, zero toe; Ferodo DS2500 pads, stainless lines, Motul RBF 660; AWE Touring cat-back; high-flow panel filter; 91-octane calibration via EcuTek with emissions intact; plus oil cooler and baffled pan. Parts totaled about $6,800; alignment and setup $400. Dyno showed 201 whp and 181 lb-ft versus 193/176 stock; the notorious torque dip is largely flattened. 0–60 dropped to 5.8 s, quarter mile to 14.4 @ 100; 5–60 improved to 6.2.
Gains feel in the midrange, with smoother tip-in and consistent auto rev-match. Cabin drone is minimal at 70 mph; cold starts are louder but settle quickly. Grip and braking lead the transformation. On RE-71RS, lateral grip rose to 1.05 g; 60–0 fell to 103 ft with zero fade across five consecutive stops.
Track pace improved to 1:26.1, a 2.8 s gain. Added camber sharpens turn-in, and balance is neutral with gentle throttle rotation. The oil cooler capped peak oil at 248 F; stock peaked near 270 by the third session. Daily use stays livable.
KW’s mid settings ride firmly but controlled; we backed off two clicks for commuting. Cabin noise at 70 mph rises from 72 to 74 dBA. The 25 mm drop means watching driveway angles; we avoided scraping with care. Fuel economy dipped from 29 to 27 mpg highway, city held near 24.
No warning lights in 1,200 post-mod miles. Recommendation: start with tires, pads, fluid, and a track-friendly alignment—those yield the biggest confidence and lap-time gains. Add coilovers if you attend regular HPDEs, and do the reliability mods before long sessions. Exhaust and a conservative tune tidy the torque curve but won’t reinvent straight-line pace.
Keep emissions equipment intact and verify calibrations are legal in your region.
