Best Toyota 86 & Subaru BRZ Performance Mods (FA20)

The first-generation Toyota 86, Scion FR-S, and Subaru BRZ are three badges on one of the best-handling affordable sports cars ever built — and the best Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ performance upgrades are the ones that address its one honest weakness: the 200-horsepower FA20 boxer wants more grunt. In our Tampa, FL shop we build these ZN6/ZC6 twins constantly, and the parts that deliver the biggest real-world difference fall into four buckets: forced induction, breathing, suspension, and drivetrain. Below are the six upgrades we reach for most, from a $412 intake to a $4,950 HKS turbo kit.

Why the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ Are So Easy to Modify

The Toyota 86 (sold as the Scion FR-S from 2013–2016 and the Toyota 86 from 2017–2020) and the Subaru BRZ are the same car underneath: the shared ZN6/ZC6 chassis and the naturally aspirated 2.0L FA20 flat-four boxer. From the factory, that FA20 makes 200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque, rising to 205 hp and 156 lb-ft on 2017-and-newer six-speed manual cars. Curb weight sits around 2,760–2,800 lb, and the boxer's low mounting point gives the car a genuinely low center of gravity and a roughly 53/47 front-to-rear weight balance.

That chassis is the reason enthusiasts love the platform — and the reason the mod path is so clear. The suspension geometry, steering, and balance are already sorted, so upgrades pay off immediately. The only real complaint is the well-documented mid-range "torque dip" around 4,000 rpm and a peak output that trails the competition. Every part in this roundup exists to fix one of those two things: add power, or make the chassis even sharper. Because the FR-S, 86, and BRZ share the same engine and body, the aftermarket for all three is enormous and interchangeable, which keeps prices competitive and fitment simple.

How We Picked the Best 86 / BRZ Upgrades

We chose these six upgrades using three filters: measurable benefit, proven brand support, and confirmed fitment for the first-gen car. Every product here is in stock at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, and every fitment was checked against the ZN6/ZC6 chassis and FA20 engine before it made the list. We deliberately spread the picks across the four categories that matter on this platform — forced induction, exhaust, intake, suspension, and drivetrain — so the list works whether you want maximum horsepower or a razor-sharp autocross car. We did not include cosmetic-only parts; each pick changes how the car drives, sounds, or performs.

The Best Performance Upgrades for the Toyota 86 & Subaru BRZ

Biggest Power Gain: HKS 86/BRZ GTIII-RS Turbo Pro Kit

The HKS GTIII-RS Turbo Pro Kit is the most complete bolt-on turbo system we stock for the FA20, and it is the fastest way to transform the 200-horsepower boxer into a genuine sports-car engine. It is a full "Pro Kit," meaning it bundles the HKS GTIII-RS ball-bearing turbocharger, exhaust manifold, downpipe, intercooler, charge piping, and supporting fuel hardware into one part number (HKS hks11001-KT001). HKS positions this kit to push the FA20 into the roughly 300-plus horsepower range on a proper tune — about a 50% increase over stock — and it eliminates the factory torque dip by filling the mid-range with boost.

Best Handling Foundation: KW Variant 3 Coilovers

The KW Variant 3 coilover kit is the suspension upgrade we recommend most for a street-and-track 86/BRZ, because it adds independently adjustable rebound and compression damping on top of ride-height adjustment. Made in Germany with stainless-steel "inox-line" strut bodies, the V3 lets you dial in a lower, flatter stance and firmer body control without wrecking daily-driver comfort. For a chassis this good, quality dampers are what unlock the last 20% of the car's potential. Pair it with our coilover collection if you want to compare KW's other Variant lines.

Best Exhaust Note: Borla S-Type Cat-Back

The Borla S-Type cat-back is the upgrade that finally gives the flat-four the voice it deserves. Built entirely from 304 stainless steel and backed by Borla's million-mile warranty, this cat-back trades the muted factory drone for the aggressive, motorsport-flavored note Borla is known for, while adding a few peak horsepower by reducing back-pressure. On the FA20 the honest story is sound first, power second — but that soundtrack is a big part of why owners keep these cars. Note this specific part fits 2013–2015 FR-S and 2013 BRZ six-speed manual models.

Best Bolt-On Value: Injen Evolution Cold Air Intake

At $412.72, the Injen Evolution intake is the highest value-per-dollar upgrade on this list. It uses a roto-molded, dyno-tuned intake tube and a dry filter to feed the FA20 more air while keeping an OE-quality fit, and it is one of the first mods we install on almost every build. It sharpens throttle response and adds intake growl under load, and it stacks cleanly with the cat-back and a tune. Like the turbo kit, this Injen intake is marked non-CARB and cannot ship to California.

Best Clutch for Boost: Exedy Stage 2 Cerametallic

If you add the HKS turbo kit, the Exedy Stage 2 Cerametallic clutch is the drivetrain insurance you need. The factory clutch is only rated for roughly stock torque, and it will slip once boost arrives. Exedy's cerametallic friction material handles far more abuse than a stock-type organic disc without slipping or fading, and the sprung-center design keeps engagement manageable on the street. At $459.83 it is cheap protection for a four-figure turbo investment.

Sharpen the Chassis: Hotchkis Adjustable Sway Bars

For the fastest handling gain per dollar, the Hotchkis adjustable sport sway bars are hard to beat. The set pairs a 25.4mm two-way adjustable front bar with a 19mm four-way adjustable blade-style rear bar, both powder-coated for durability. Adjustable end-link mounting lets you tune understeer and oversteer balance at the track without touching alignment, which makes an already sharp car feel telepathic. Browse the full suspension collection to match them with the KW coilovers above.

Comparison Table: 86 / BRZ Upgrades at a Glance

How to Build Your 86 / BRZ: A Sensible Mod Order

The smartest way to build a first-gen 86, FR-S, or BRZ is in stages, spending money where the platform responds best. Start with breathing and sound: the Injen Evolution intake ($412.72) and the Borla cat-back ($1,289.99), backed by an ECU tune, wake up the FA20 and make the naturally aspirated experience far more engaging for well under $2,000. Next, invest in the chassis while it is still stock power — KW Variant 3 coilovers ($3,214.00) and the Hotchkis sway bars ($787.78) turn a great-handling car into a track weapon and cost nothing in reliability.

Save forced induction for last, once the supporting parts are in place. When you fit the HKS GTIII-RS Turbo Pro Kit ($4,950.00), plan to install the Exedy Stage 2 clutch ($459.83) at the same time and budget for a proper tune to manage the roughly 300-plus horsepower safely. Built in that order, every dollar improves the car you already own instead of waiting on the next part. Not sure where to start? Our Tampa, FL team fits these combinations regularly and can help you spec a stage that matches your budget and goals — start with the turbocharger collection if maximum power is the priority.