Tuesday 22nd December 2015

Toyota GT86: PH Fleet

A glorious reunion for Matt and the GT86, plus a chance to ponder tuning after that BBR MX-5 drive

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Confession time: I've not spent much time in the GT86 this month. A surplus of test cars, plus other members of the team requiring transport, means I've been behind steering wheels other than the Toyota's perfect little one.

Also red, also Japanese, also great

Those that have returned the car recently have done so with mostly positive things to say. James loves it, though believes it really needs some more power. He would say that as a man who worked at Caterham for so long. Even Ollie, the man who owns a TT and so should surely abhor the '86, has been fairly complimentary. He's not even whinged about the interior.

But the crappy plastic key is back in my hand now! It was genuinely thrilling to be reunited with it on Friday night, such is the bond I now have with it. Sad, I know. Immediately though the seating position, the control weights and the visibility felt so good.

On Saturday I went for a drive, just for the fun of it. And it was brilliant. The Turner's Hill Road was fairly quiet with everyone Christmas shopping so I managed to have one or two really good runs through. Then a couple more, just to be sure. Here the GT86's compact dimensions, fantastic gearchange and strong brakes really came into their own. It was great fun in fact, a perfect way to be reunited and a reminder of why this car is so good.

But it was also a reminder of what isn't so good, and what I would love to improve if the GT86 really was mine. This has been brought into stark focus recently after driving the BBR MX-5 Super 190, which significantly improved a fairly good base car with a few modifications. The GT86 is already a more accomplished base product in my mind than the MX-5, so the prospect of a modified one is incredibly exciting. Here's what I would do then, in that dreamy scenario where the car was mine and there's some budget for modifying...

Now we're talking!

It would have to be supercharged. So much praise has been heaped on the Cosworth package that it seems a no brainer for generating more power while retaining the flat-four's revvy nature. The chassis really deserves more power and 280hp, plus the boost in torque, sounds spot on. As do the induction and exhaust tweaks. And the brake upgrades. Looks like I might be spending quite a lot at Cosworth then...

A wheel and tyre change is a must too, to improve the looks and the dynamics. I'm still drawn to Volk TE37s, as demonstrated superbly on this red GT86, so that would be an easy choice. I reckon 17-inch would be fine. Tyres? From what's been written on forums, Goodyear Eagle F1s seem to have a pretty good reputation.

Any suspension changes would take more deliberation but already this sounds pretty damn good. I'm keeping tabs on the PH build threads, including walamai's and DaveJH's (one I was reading before this long termer), just for some inspiration. I will have to own a GT86 at some point! If you have any further ideas, please feel free to share.

Sadly the GT86's key will be taken from me again over Christmas, with Nik enjoying his first experience during the festive period. January can't come soon enough!

Look for used Toyota GT86 in the classifieds!

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FACT SHEET
Car: 2015 Toyota GT86 Primo
Run by: Matt 
On fleet since: July 2015
Mileage: 7,460
List price new: £22,495 (and £22,495 as tested! List price £22,700, GT86 Primo currently available with £205 dealer discount 'when ordered and proposed for finance' between 18/12/2015 and 31/03/2016 and registered by 30/06/2016)
Last month at a glance: Absence really does make the heart grow fonder!

Previous reports:
Press car without a single option? Welcome the GT86 Primo!
Three thousand miles in a month gets the 86 run in...
A less exciting month for the GT86 but it's still great!
Fun in the sun with the GT86
Track day hooning to motorway eco driving

[Sources: Tokkodai, Chris Teagles for MX-5 pic]

 

[PeterRedGT86]

I just want to read a report on the full Cosworth stage 1, +30hp at the top but claims of +40hp at lower revs must mean it has a significant impact on the torque curve.

[MrMuzace]

Hey Matt I would strongly recommend to you and other 86/BRZ owners before you do any engine or wheel upgrades that you do quality suspension, tire and front brake upgrades first. Track it and then see where things stand. Aside from a manifold, exhaust and tune to liberate another 30 - 40 hp and lb ft I would leave the engine naturally aspirated.
My car in this video has the following changes from a regular UK 86 Primo and I think most would agree this is more enough for a quick safe and above all else fun track day car.
Running the standard Primo 16x6.5" wheels with Dunlop Direzza Star Spec Z2 tires, Ohlins Road and Track suspension, XYZ race front brakes and Mishimoto oil cooler. The Ohlins suspension is particularly outstanding for both track and road.
https://youtu.be/4eabIVFlN5M?t=272
http://www.pistonheads.com/tv/film/video-toyota-86...

[davyvee]

MrMuzace said:

Hey Matt I would strongly recommend to you and other 86/BRZ owners before you do any engine or wheel upgrades that you do quality suspension, tire and front brake upgrades first. Track it and then see where things stand. Aside from a manifold, exhaust and tune to liberate another 30 - 40 hp and lb ft I would leave the engine naturally aspirated.
My car in this video has the following changes from a regular UK 86 Primo and I think most would agree this is more enough for a quick safe and above all else fun track day car.
Running the standard Primo 16x6.5" wheels with Dunlop Direzza Star Spec Z2 tires, Ohlins Road and Track suspension, XYZ race front brakes and Mishimoto oil cooler. The Ohlins suspension is particularly outstanding for both track and road.
https://youtu.be/4eabIVFlN5M?t=272
http://www.pistonheads.com/tv/film/video-toyota-86...

Which Ohlins kit do you have out of interest?

I have the new kit with 30/40 spring rates but have not fitted them yet. Would be good get some feedback.

[Matt Bird]

MrMuzace said:

Hey Matt I would strongly recommend to you and other 86/BRZ owners before you do any engine or wheel upgrades that you do quality suspension, tire and front brake upgrades first. Track it and then see where things stand. Aside from a manifold, exhaust and tune to liberate another 30 - 40 hp and lb ft I would leave the engine naturally aspirated.
My car in this video has the following changes from a regular UK 86 Primo and I think most would agree this is more enough for a quick safe and above all else fun track day car.
Running the standard Primo 16x6.5" wheels with Dunlop Direzza Star Spec Z2 tires, Ohlins Road and Track suspension, XYZ race front brakes and Mishimoto oil cooler. The Ohlins suspension is particularly outstanding for both track and road.
https://youtu.be/4eabIVFlN5M?t=272
http://www.pistonheads.com/tv/film/video-toyota-86...

I can't actually modify it but thanks for the help. One day...

[delta0]

The problem is the engine isn't checked again after the aftermarket mod emissions and VED. This is why it won't come out of the factory like this.

[MrMuzace]

Matt Bird - Keep the faith - long after this car goes back to Toyota you will want a key to an 86 in your hand every day. Can honestly say that a Cayman or similar more expensive sports car will not give you more thrills, in fact on the road an 86 will give you more moments of joy than pretty much anything on four wheels for any money. Be patient and you will find a way.

davyvee - I have the Ohlins Road and Track kit which I believe has the Euro spring set as NZ roads can be very bumpy not unlike UK - sorry I can't remember the exact spec

[juicy sushi]

Matt, you may want to look at the MotoIQ efforts at tuning the 86. They certainly give a few different directions one could go in:

http://www.motoiq.com/Projects/Scion/FRS.aspx
http://www.motoiq.com/Projects/Scion/ScionTunerCha...
http://www.motoiq.com/Projects/Subaru/AutocrossBRZ...