Toyota GT86 Coilover Guide

We compare ten of the best Toyota GT86 coilover suspension systems available to help you decide the perfect kit for your needs. This is the ultimate GT86 coilover guide.

gt86 coilovers

Ohlins Road & Track
KW Variant 3
Stance Super Sport
RS-R Sports*i
BC Racing BR
Bilstein B16 PSS10
HKS Hipermax IV SP
Tein Flex Z
Fortune Auto 500
ST Speedtech
Jump To Winner

In a hurry? Here is our GT86 coilover summary

Budget Choice	Drifted Choice	Premium Choice

Tein Flex Z GT86 Coilovers	Ohlins Road & Track GT86 Coilovers	KW Variant 3 GT86 Coilovers
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥	🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥	🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

If you’re lucky enough to own, or even seriously considering buying Toyota’s modern-day masterpiece then believe us - you’re looking at one of the best JDM cars produced in this century.

When Toyota debuted their incredible new creation at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, it had everyone drooling over the potential possibilities of a stunning modern-day Hachi-Roku.

At the show, lead engineer Mr. Tada explained, “The goal was to create an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with compelling style with exceptionally balanced performance and handling.”

There’s no doubt that Toyota delivered on this with the GT86 handling incredibly well straight out of the factory.

However, if you want to make the GT86 look even more incredible, make the handling even more impressive or have endless possibilities when it comes to fine suspension tweaks, then coilovers are for you.

From Europe to Japan, tuning houses have been fighting to provide the ultimate coilover setup to their customers for several years now, leaving us with some incredible options available on the market.

Perhaps you’re looking to slam your 86, improve your pace on the twisty roads or unleash its full potential on the track. We’ve created this guide exactly for you.

This list reveals coilover suspension specifications, features, construction materials, spring rates, manufacturer descriptions and our own comments. We have also given each suspension system a Drifted rating based upon features and price. We are looking at budget, mid-range and high-end coilovers in this comparison.

Let’s take a look at our Toyota GT86 coilover selection

To read more about any of these products simply click on the coilover name or photo.

Ohlins Road & Track Coilovers

Manufacturer: Ohlins
Levels of damping adjustment: 20
Construction type: Monotube
Spring rate front: 4kg/mm
Spring rate rear: 3kg/mm
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ?????
Purchase link: Buy your Ohlins R & T Coilover Kit here

Our comment: The price tag may look a little intimidating, but our first choice is aimed at those serious drivers who also like to push their daily driver to its limits on the track.

Ohlins are one of the biggest suspension companies in the world and this is an incredible offering for GT86 owners. This setup quite possibly offers the best combination of road comfort and handling while also providing a serious set-up for cutting those valuable seconds off your lap time at the track.

On the road they’ll feel firmer than stock but with their Dual Flow Valve technology it’ll absorb the bumps well to ensure a smooth ride.

Manufacturer description: “This is the latest step in the Öhlins Racing automotive philosophy - Road & Track by Öhlins. A more than 30 year long tradition of high-end racing commitments and state-of-the-art solutions within advanced suspension technology is now available for street cars all over the world.“

“The focus has been clear from the very beginning - superior road handling without sacrificing comfort in your day-to-day transports. The time of compromises are over! We have also added a clever light-weight design with a majority of the parts in aluminium and on top of that all shocks have suffered through vast corrosion tests according to ISO 9227. The end result is a 2-year limited warranty on all of our products – worldwide.“

KW Variant 3 Coilovers

Manufacturer: KW
Levels of damping adjustment: 14
Construction type: Twin-tube
Spring rate front: 343lbs/in
Spring rate rear: 400lbs/in
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ?????
Purchase link: Buy your KW V3 coilover kit at Enjuku Racing

Our comment: Despite being the most expensive option on our list, they say that quality comes at a price and the 3-way KW coilover kit certainly lives up to that.

Quite possibly the best quality kit out there with stainless steel construction which won’t rust, this is the main competitor with Ohlins for the best day-to-day kit which can also perform insanely well at the track.

This kit is softer than the Ohlins, which may suit you better on a daily basis, howver some owners have found it slightly soft on track. KW offers alternate springs if you find this to be the case.

Manufacturer description: “State-of-the-art technology from motor sports for more performance on the road. The separate and independently adjustable rebound- and compression damping allows for an individual suspension setup for different uses and preferences.“

“The unique patented system with its two-stage valves allows a rebound damping adjustment (comfort) and a compression adjustment (driving dynamics) in the low-speed range while the high-speed range which controls the driving safety, is fixed.“

Stance Super Sport Coilovers

Manufacturer: Stance
Levels of damping adjustment: 15
Construction type: Monotube
Spring rate front: 7kg/mm
Spring rate rear: 8kg/mm
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ????
Purchase link: Buy your Stance Super Sport coilover kit at FRSport

Our comment: Stance brings you this awesome looking coilover kit which is great for owners who are looking for low ride height with good adjustability while still maintaining great handling.

Despite being slightly firmer than stock, it’s not a crashy ride and if frame-laying is your thing, comfort probably isn’t at the top of your list! If you’re intending to track the car there are better options out there, but for daily driving this is a great, affordable option.

Manufacturer description: “Stance has been developing and testing this application for an extended period of time on a handful of vehicles. The final result is a product that Stance is both excited and proud to offer to the public. They are now able to offer an application that has had more road tuning and testing than almost any other brand of coilover for these cars.“

“The setup was tuned with an emphasis on ride quality and height adjustment. There were a few revisions during development with regards to a few different aspects of Stance’s original design, but they state that they are very confident that this final design is the best bang for the buck coilover on the market for the GT86, FR-S and the BRZ.“

RS-R Sports*i Coilovers

Manufacturer: RS-R
Levels of damping adjustment: 36
Construction type: Monotube
Spring rate front: 6kg/mm
Spring rate rear: 7kg/mm
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ????
Purchase link: Buy RS-R Sports*i coilovers at Amazon

Our comment: RS*R have brought this unique offering to the market which has a high emphasis on comfort. Despite being a great fast-street set of coilovers, the ride height is actually softer than the stock suspension.

If you’re using your 86 as a daily driver and need to keep the wife or girlfriend happy while having adjustability and improved handling, this could be the perfect setup for your needs! For those more track-orientated drivers, consider looking at their CR (Club Racer) offering.

Manufacturer description: “Spirited weekend track drives do not have to sacrifice daily driving comfort or performance. Designed for the performance enthusiast in mind, the RS-R Sports-I coilover system provides a comfortable ride for everyday use, yet is sufficient enough for those effervescent track days.“

“Why spend all day at the track dialing in your suspension when you should be on the track enjoying the experience. Damper and camber adjustments should not be a definitive factor, nor should you spend all day adjusting your suspension settings at the track. Drive to the track, on the track and drive home in comfort. Enjoy driving again with the RS-R Sports-I coilovers.“

BC Racing BR Series Coilovers

Manufacturer: BC Racing
Levels of damping adjustment: 30
Construction type: Monotube
Spring rate front: 8kg/mm
Spring rate rear: 8kg/mm
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ????
Purchase link: Buy BC Racing BRs at Enjuku Racing

Our comment: BC Racing offer a great option for those of you on a budget. If you’re planning to spend less than $1k, this all-round kit could well be the perfect choice for you.

These offer a firm, but not crashy ride which is still ideal for street use with great adjustability. There is also a swift-spring upgrade on offer for those of you interested in going down that route.

BC also offer their higher-end ‘ER’ series coilovers which are a competitior for the KW V3’s if you’re intending to do mostly track use. If frame laying is your thing, also consider checking out the BC Extreme Low kit.

Manufacturer description: “The components you use directly affect your vehicle’s performance, and that certainly includes your suspension system. These Toyota GT86 coilovers are perfect for street driving and occasional road course duty.“

“With easily accessible adjustment knobs for fine tuning your compression and rebound, as well as separately adjustable ride heights, having a high-performance coilover system has never been easier.“

Bilstein B16 PSS10 Coilovers

Manufacturer: Bilstein
Levels of damping adjustment: 10
Construction type: Monotube
Spring rate front: 2.5-4.5kg/mm (Progressive)
Spring rate rear: 3-7kg/mm (Progressive)
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ????
Purchase link: Buy Bilstein B16 Coilovers at FRSport

Our comment: Here is another premium entry, this time from another legendary suspension creator – Bilstein. These are up there with the best when it comes to fast-road setups with comfort levels similar to stock.

If you’re looking for a setup which is smooth on the highway which uses advantage of the progressive springs at low speeds, this is a fantastic setup. For track-orientated use they’re generally softer than some of the competitors in the same price bracket.

Manufacturer description: “The Bilstein B16 system puts you in complete control, providing the kind of precise suspension tuning formerly available only on race cars. From a weekend of competition to daily driving, this system provides perfect handling performance for every situation.“

“Damper and spring rates for these kits were developed on the famed Nürburgring, and are specific to the GT86, FR-S and BRZ chassis. A TÜV certificate is included with the suspension package (where applicable).“

HKS Hipermax IV SP Coilovers

Manufacturer: HKS
Levels of damping adjustment: 30
Construction type: Monotube
Spring rate front: 8kg/mm
Spring rate rear: 8kg/mm
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ????
Purchase link: Buy HKS Hipermax IV Coilovers here

Our comment: Legendary Japanese tuning house HKS bring their hand with the first JDM offering on our list with their stunning quality sport coilover offering.

These coilovers were built for comfort and great handling with R&D carried out at Fuji Speedway in Japan. Offering a similar ride height to stock with a more planted feel, these are great for daily use. They also have a GT model for those more track-orientated drivers.

Manufacturer description: “This “MAX IV SP” is the ultimate sport model for such a high grip radial tire. It will transfer the feelings straight to driver all kinds of information such as tire, road surface condition and traction. It’s a perfect street sport model suspension for people who love to drive fast but still want comfort.“

Tein Flex Z Coilovers

Manufacturer: Tein
Levels of damping adjustment: 16
Construction type: Twin-tube
Spring rate front: 6kg/mm
Spring rate rear: 6kg/mm
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ?????
Purchase link: Buy Tein Flex Z Coilovers from Enjuku Racing

Our comment: Tein bring this insanely good value for money kit to the market, with the price tag you may assume that this is cheaply made, however it is fantastic quality and made in Yokohama, Japan.

Despite being road orientated, this is also a capable track coilover featuring an impressive amount of adjustment. For the money, you’re going to struggle to get a better all-rounder than this.

Manufacturer description: “TEIN Flex Z Coilovers are the latest in TEIN’s generation of high end coilovers. The difference with Flex Z is that you are getting a coilover that would normally cost almost double the price.“

“The new manufacturing systems that TEIN has put in place with this line of coilovers has allowed for them to produce these coilovers at a lower price and pass that savings on to you. Quality and performance remains top of it’s class and TEIN builds these Flex Z coilovers with the highest quality standards in Yokohama, Japan making these a true Japanese JDM coilover system.“

Fortune Auto 500 Coilovers

Manufacturer: Fortune Auto 500
Levels of damping adjustment: 24
Construction type: Monotube
Spring rate front: 6kg/mm
Spring rate rear: 7kg/mm
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ????
Purchase link: Buy Fortune Auto 500 Coilovers from Enjuku Racing

Our comment: Fortune Auto have these attention-grabbing coilovers on offer, with fantastic quality and a lower-end price to match. These are soft and smooth for daily driving and also a capable coilover for occasional track use.

With the ability to upgrade to 2-way remote canisters or swift springs, this could be a great option if you want a daily driving coilover now with something more track-orientated later on without having to purchase brand new.

Manufacturer description: “Research on the racetrack has helped us develop the Fortune Auto 500 Series into a great all-around shock absorber. Using high quality components that meet our strict standards allows us to optimize comfort, reliability, and longevity.“

ST Suspensions GT86 Coilovers

Manufacturer: ST Suspensions
Levels of damping adjustment: None
Construction type: Twin-tube
Spring rate front: 230 lbs/in
Spring rate rear: 285 lbs/in
Fitment: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S
Value for money: ????
Purchase link: Buy ST Suspensions Coilovers from Amazon

Our comment: ST Suspensions are a brand under the KW company, providing the same high-quality and great performance combined with extremely impressive prices.

These may look like the perfect offering for the money, but with no damping adjustment they may not suit everyones needs. However, they are a great setup for street use and if you’re looking for a high quality street coilover to put on the car and not worry about, definitely consider this option.

Manufacturer description: “The ultimate in performance, style and handling. ST height adjustable Coilover kits are precision engineered and road tested to the highest standards of the German TUV. “

“Our threaded shock Bodies allow you to customize vehicles ride height to the maximum, without compromising safety, functionality or superior driving performance.“

Our winner

Our winner is the stunning Ohlins Road & Track coilover kit.

It was an extremely close call between these and the KW’s in the upper price range on our list, but we felt that the Ohlins coilover kit took the edge when they headed to the track.

Ohlins Road & Track

For those who want to get the best possible performance from their GT86, we have no doubt that the Ohlins will suit your needs both on the road and the track. There are some other serious contenders out there and the GT86 selection is undoubtedly one of the more impressive on the tuning scene.

Runner-up

Another set of coilovers which blew us away during research were the budget-offering from Tein. It’s not often you find a coilover kit for under $1,000 which has been made and tested in Japan. If you’re on a budget and spend most of your time enjoying the GT86 on the road, we have no doubt that these will be a great choice.

Tein Flex Z

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Since you have a Toyota GT86, have you considered upgrading the exhaust system? Our GT86 exhaust guide will give you all the information you need to pick your dream exhaust setup.

Photography credits

If we have missed a great coilover set that you think is worthy of mention then drop it in the comments below.

Written by Joe Terrell Drifted.com founder, motoring journalist and all-round car enthusiast. Read more about Joe and the Drifted team on our about us page.