3 Simple Modifications That Completely Transform The Toyota GT86

This right here is one of those retro-liveried GT86s that Toyota wrapped up for this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The livery design of this particular car is based on the 1968 Shelby Toyota 2000GT race car, and it looks absolutely fantastic. Thing is, it’s not just the livery that makes this car stand out.

Now, anyone who’s driven a GT86 knows that while it doesn’t necessarily need more power, it could definitely take it, but that’s a story for another day. Today’s story is about the three simple modifications Toyota completed on this car that I believe should be first on every GT86 owner’s list. I already loved the 86, but this is the best one I’ve ever driven. Here’s why:

1. Wheels

The GT86’s standard wheels come in a variety of fairly uninspiring 16- and 17-inch alloys, but this car got a set of 17-inch Rota Retro 2 wheels. They’re a really quirky design, and work perfectly with the retro livery to give off a really classic feel. I’ll admit these particular wheels do look a bit cheap up close, but they show that if you stay away from thin spoke alloys your GT86 will look great.

They’re wrapped in sticky Continental rubber, which are much grippier than the standard Prius eco tyres. The car isn’t quite as loose, but there’s now more grip than you could ever need.

2. Suspension

Lowering your car has been a staple of the car modification scene since the second someone realised you could chop springs, so it’s no surprise that dropping the GT86 works wonders for the way it looks.

Toyota used V-Maxx lowering springs that work alongside the original dampers - so you avoid a back breaking ride - to drop the car by 40mm. This allows the wheels to fill the arches, and gives the illusion of a much wider, meaner stance. The standard car looks a bit soft, whereas this drop makes the car look like it’s packing serious horsepower. Just don’t let that get to your head at the lights if you haven’t tickled the engine at least a little…

3. Exhaust

I’ve saved the exhaust until last because I’m a bit torn on it. Toyota fitted a freer breathing stainless steel Milltek Sport system, which has the added bonus of being bloody loud.

This system deletes the car’s primary silencer, and optimises the flow of exhaust gases by routing the pipework directly into the centre of the main silencer, rather than the side . A perforated Y-shaped seperator within the main silencer also allows noise to be dampened without affecting the flow of exhaust gasses.

When driving hard, it sounds great, especially from the outside. Even while cruising around town, a few people commented on how good it sounds. The only reason I’m a little torn is that from inside the cabin it is rather boomy at lower revs, but the results from outside will definitely be worth it for some people. If you can’t live with the boominess, I’d definitely recommend shopping around, as the extra noise is definitely welcome while giving it the beans.

Photos by Joseph Fiddimore