Best GR86 & BRZ Cooling Mods: Oil Coolers & Radiators

The 2022-2025 Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are two of the best-handling cars you can buy for the money, but the shared FA24 2.4L flat-four runs hot when you push it. Sustained track sessions, autocross runs, and even spirited canyon driving in Florida heat send engine oil temperatures climbing fast — and the factory cooling system leaves little margin. The right GR86 and BRZ cooling upgrades keep oil and coolant temperatures in the safe zone so the engine makes consistent power lap after lap instead of pulling timing to protect itself. In this roundup we break down the best oil coolers, aluminum radiators, and catch cans for the FA24 platform, with real specs, pricing, and fitment for the ZN8 GR86 and ZD8 BRZ.

Why the FA24 GR86 and BRZ Need Cooling Upgrades

The gen-2 GR86 and BRZ use the naturally aspirated FA24 2.4L boxer engine, rated at 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It is a big improvement over the old FA20, but the extra displacement and higher output also make more heat. The factory cooling package is sized for street use, not repeated wide-open-throttle track laps. On a hot day at the track, owners routinely see engine oil temperatures climb past 250°F, and once oil crosses roughly 270°F the ECU begins to protect the engine — you feel it as soft, inconsistent power and, in worst cases, a limp-home reduction.

Oil that runs too hot also thins out and loses its protective film, which accelerates bearing and ring wear over time. That is why a proper oil cooler is the single most valuable cooling upgrade for a track-driven GR86 or BRZ. Coolant temperature is the second front: the plastic-tank OE radiator is adequate on the street but heat-soaks during sustained sessions, letting water temps creep toward the 220°F range. Finally, the FA24's combination of direct injection and a flat-four PCV system pushes oil vapor into the intake tract, which a catch can intercepts. Address all three and the car stays fast and reliable no matter how long the session runs. In our Tampa, FL shop, cooling is the first upgrade we recommend to any customer planning to run their 86 or BRZ at Sebring or an autocross.

Best Oil Cooler for the GR86 and BRZ: HKS S-Type Kit

The HKS S-Type Oil Cooler Kit is our top pick for a serious track build. HKS engineered this kit specifically for the FA24 ZN8 and ZD8, pairing a large-capacity oil cooler core with an integrated thermostatic sandwich plate so oil only routes to the cooler once it reaches operating temperature — around 180°F. That means the engine still warms up quickly on cold mornings and never over-cools on the street, then dumps heat aggressively when you are on the pace. Everything mounts with model-specific brackets and braided lines, so there is no cutting or fabrication.

Best Value Oil Cooler: Mishimoto Thermostatic Kit

If you want the same protection at a friendlier price, the Mishimoto Thermostatic Oil Cooler Kit is the value winner at around $750. It uses a stacked-plate cooler core mounted in the front of the car, fed by braided stainless lines and a thermostatic sandwich plate that opens near 180°F. Because the thermostat holds oil in the block until it is warm, the car drives normally in daily use and only starts shedding heat when you lean on it. It is offered in a natural silver or a stealthy black finish, and like all Mishimoto cooling parts it is backed by the company's lifetime warranty — a big deal on a track car. For most weekend track-day drivers, this is all the oil cooler they will ever need.

Best Radiator Upgrades for the GR86 and BRZ

An oil cooler handles oil temperature, but coolant temperature is the other half of the equation. The factory radiator uses plastic end tanks and a thin core that heat-soaks during back-to-back laps. A full aluminum radiator adds core volume and better heat rejection, keeping water temps stable so the car does not slip into a hotter, timing-pulling state. We stock two proven options for the FA24 platform.

The Koyo Competition All-Aluminum Radiator (around $457) is the pick for the most demanding track use. Koyo builds it from all-aluminum construction with TIG-welded end tanks and a larger, denser core than stock — the same race-radiator lineage that has cooled Japanese sports cars for decades. The Mishimoto Performance Aluminum Radiator (roughly $450) is a brazed-aluminum, direct-fit unit that increases coolant capacity over OE and carries Mishimoto's lifetime warranty, making it a great choice for a street car that sees occasional track days. Both bolt into the factory location with no modification.

Do You Need a Catch Can on the FA24?

A catch can is the finishing touch on a GR86 or BRZ cooling and engine-health setup. The FA24 uses direct injection and a boxer-engine PCV system that routes crankcase vapor — oil mist and fuel — back into the intake. Over time that residue coats the intake tract and, on direct-injection engines, can build up on components that fuel no longer washes clean. A catch can intercepts the oil vapor before it reaches the intake, keeping the system cleaner and reducing the risk of knock from oil contamination. The Radium Engineering Dual Catch Can Kit (around $427) captures vapor from both the PCV and CCV lines, uses billet aluminum cans with an internal "Fluid Lock" design, and includes model-specific hardware for a clean install. If you want a simpler, lower-cost option, Radium also offers a single PCV-only catch can kit for around $218.

GR86 and BRZ Cooling Upgrades Compared

Here is how the five cooling upgrades stack up side by side. Match the part to how you actually drive: oil coolers first for track use, a radiator for sustained sessions, and a catch can for long-term engine cleanliness.

How to Choose the Right Cooling Setup

Start with how the car is used. A street-driven GR86 or BRZ that sees an occasional autocross is well served by a thermostatic oil cooler and a catch can — the Mishimoto oil cooler plus the Radium dual can is a smart, affordable combination that solves the two most common owner complaints. If you run full 20-30 minute track sessions in summer heat, step up to the HKS S-Type oil cooler and add an aluminum radiator so both oil and coolant stay in check through the entire session. The Koyo Competition radiator is the choice when you are chasing the last few degrees for a dedicated track car, while the Mishimoto radiator is the better street-and-track compromise thanks to its lifetime warranty.

One tip from our shop: always pair an oil cooler with a thermostatic plate. Non-thermostatic setups over-cool the oil on the street and in cold weather, which keeps the engine from reaching proper operating temperature and can actually increase wear and fuel dilution. Every oil cooler in this guide is thermostatic for exactly that reason. Browse the full range of parts in our GR86 and BRZ cooling collection, and if you are unsure which combination fits your goals, our Tampa, FL team can spec a setup for your build.