Our Ring-Spec Toyota GT-86: Mods, Maintenance, Struggles and Love 

Not to worry about the GT86 as a financial mistake because the whole concept of being a car enthusiast is a financial mistake. No financially intelligent person would spend load of money on running a fleet of rapidly depreciating cars.

Oh, nice love these garage talks with George.

The most satisfying car purchase I've made. As a daily driver I don't need more hp. It's baffling to me that anyone other than someone into drag racing would be thinking about hp when driving it. How... proportionate it feels going into a corner versus exiting feels so *right*. Best part of the day is driving to and from work in it, I'll drive a different route often just for the sake of it. More expensive, less mpg, heavier, less balanced - any of that wrecks the gestalt of the perfect production car.

The OG's will still remember Max's reaction when he was shown the damage on this car. I remember saying he will become a pure petrolhead. Loving these technical videos with George. Show hijacked by Robert this time though. A proper recipe for a enjoyable car imo. Front engine, RWD, manual, enough hp that it can move along nicely.

We wouldn't be car guys if we didn't follow the Financial mistake route 🤣

I’m here!!!

Hi guys, I agree with Robert if you enjoy driving a certain car why would you get rid of it. Damn Misha it's a 86,you can't go wrong. Years ago in South Africa Toyotas slogan was, EVERYTHING KEEPS GOING RIGHT TOYOTA. By the way I'm a Toyota driver. Keep it up guys

Thanks for doing more on the 86! I've been going back through and watching the old videos on it!

What rear gear ratio did you install? Edit: beautiful paint

Now you just need to order an MX5 Global Cup car! Robert would love that thing.

George is just a top bloke imo. So laid back. Just the type of guy you'd love to hang around with in the garage, drink a couple beers while modifying your cars...

Verus engineering make a carbon synchro kit. It supposedly makes the gearbox a lot more durable.

This is the dream, a new car with minimal engine mods and a ton of grippy upgrades. Ready to be thrashed.

Makes me happy with my decision to buy a Scion FRS.

You guys nailed to perfection the description of what this very accurate, genius, work of art platform the Toyota 86 (or Subaru BRZ) is all about! Brings much happiness when "comrades" of your caliber, knowledge, skill and expertise in cars give the praise and recognition the platform merits or deserves. You guys are geniuses in how carefully and methodically you did your upgrades/mods.

Love owner’s comment. I’d trade my other cars before the 86. Spot on. I have a 2018 brz base. Low track expenses! At 2601lbs, 220hp, just a blast. The car makes you a better driver on the track. I’m in the brz more then the gt3. So true, powerful cars don’t teach you about momentum driving. I did relocate the battery to the trunk. It’s an almost a perfect 50/50 balance.

I own a boosted 86(310whp) for 6 years and 3.5 of that is boosted and even after 6 years I love it to pieces. It's like a front engine Cayman S with Apexi coilovers/Brembos and 17x9 wheels with Re71r in 245/40.

Love this content always really interesting watching a non biased opinion from a good mechanic and a good driver.

Man I've been waiting for this video, great to see how you guys sorted the car for tons of nurburgring laps for reference as I keep adding track mods to my 2019 86!

I love my 2017 BRZ inazuma. Wouldn't trade it for anything!

Thank you Misha and the Apex gang for all the content this year, especially the technical chat like this! I think it's helped so many of us get through the year with some kind of entertainment, especially if we couldn't get out on track ourselves much! Enjoy your holidays, already looking forward to next year.

Thank you for uploading this video! You answered all of my questions before I ever asked them!

Thanks for the info. Useful info for maintenance etc. Seems like a solid platform for most to build their skills in. Great content!

One of the main reasons engine oil cooling might subjectively work is the OEM strategy for the ECU in dealing with it. The engine has an oil temperature sensor and when too hot, power is slightly reduced to protect itself. This can account for the perception of reduced power overall, as it is nothing obvious like a reduced redline we get on other cars. I run a BRZ in Brazilian climate, fully stock and I must say even spirited driving on Mountain Roads on a mild day get's the oil around ~140C (as per cluster graph indication). But with the ECU countermeasures it just won't go past that, even putting non-stop 1h, lap after lap on a hot day, though you then feel the power loss more noticeably. It's still a bit of a concern for me, I run Motul's 300V 5W30 to be on a safer side but am still looking around for a good oil cooling offer. By the way, I actually booked this BRZ last year with you guys but sadly it was on an elevator when I arrived and I had to drive the Cupra :/. Thanks for opening up the garage and the blunt discussions, good content!

Thanks Misha. George and Robert. Great video as always. Happy Christmas.

Thank you Misha for this video, I feel like you guys made it just for me (I asked the oil cooler question). I'm looking forward to booking some laps in the 86 for 2021. Happy Holidays!

I can fully Understand why you keep this Car in your Fleet. Got also an GT86 and drove it on the NRing, its really fun to drive. The GT86 replaced my MX-5, that i drove for 18 years.

great content as always. i drive a brz by myself ...love every kilometer with it.

Yesterday I took a long country drive to pass 15000km in my GT86 Brembo/Sachs, really enjoy it!

The way Robert looks the car and talk about it makes me want one sooooo hard.

2020 BRZ Ts - I enjoy driving and owning the most (genius concept). Makes sense in terms of relative low cost of ownership and maintance. Refreshing simplicity. Thanks for sharing this video!

Had an absolute blast driving this thing a couple years back. Great car, and really well setup. Gearbox was nice when I drove it! (and I was nice to it).

Been hoping for something like this, thanks Misha

Loving the content. 👊

Yes, finally the GT86 video. Looking forward to driving it again.

Great video. All three of you guys were fun - Robert, thank you for sharing your insights....wish more people could understand that hp is not everything. Driving has different dimensions and the more I learn, the more it seems that the best drivers are the ones fast in slow cars..... That is where the “art” is.

I’ve been dreaming of a video for the GT 86! Thanks

That's probably the first video to get a like after first 30 seconds or so. And after watching it's clear that the like could follow after just seeing the title. It's a shame that we don't have a spec series with this car on a short tracks. That would be the perfect learning class for amateurs. Better than various Logan/Cruze/E36/whateverElse cups, better than GT4 and probably even better that Carrera Cup.

The way Robert connects with the Apex GT86 is so similar to how I feel about my FR-S. Mine is also setup as a light track build (coilovers, BBK, bushings, oil cooler, LWFW, 195 whp), and primarily used for track days and canyons. Completely understand when Robert says he wants to keep the GT86 long-term despite having owned faster cars. I may end up doing the same, although it'll be interesting to see how the second gen compares.

Robert is right sticking with the GT86. That is exactly the same car it replaced back in 1986, a real driver's car.

Love this tech content!

id love to drive that 86.. owned a 2013 and now a brz ts 2020. car is so fun to drive if you know what you are doing

great content, keep it up guys.

The GT86/BRZ are basically the saying "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow". I would love to own one someday, it would make a good daily/fun car.

Great video, thanks guys.

Yeah have a Brz myself and can confirm went through x3 stock gearboxes before i put straight car gears been like this 2 years never missed a beat love it

I don't need notifications because I look for both videos from the both of you on my lunch break every day. 👌

Great vid Misha 👌🏻

It’s a blast to hoon this thing around small technical tracks, especially when you are breathing in the nek of more expensive cars. The only thing that makes it a love and hate story for me , is the shitlist of parts that I already had to replace: full engine rebuild, broken flywheel, coilpacks, loose steering rack, valve recall, and now the oil pressure light is starting to come on when the car has been sitting for a long time. Let’s say you also buy a beginners guide on working on cars otherwise you go bankrupt owning this car for a long time.

Awesome video with such great details from the team! Just want to know if you or the team did a break-in for the 4.88 final drive? I just placed a 5.125 final drive in my automatic BRZ and would love to hear your thoughts on it. Thank you again! 😃

Goooood morning Misha !!!!

Data I gathered is AR1 last about 6 days of 6-8 sessions of 20 minutes each. Not sure how that translate to ring laps. Another tire to try is Nitto NT01. Slightly less grip but more consistent and last even longer.

Listen to your videos before going to bed is the best bedtime story haha

Nice to hear what you have done to your Apex GT86. Not sure if Germany GT86 same as U.K but same engine as first gen e.g no red intake or extra 5 BHP/Gear ratio. You forgot mention facelift has LED headlights and more welds and suspension changes as well as VSC changes and traction you mentioned.

Heard good this about the balance and progressive nature of this chassis.

Interesting video, thanks Misha 👍

I was very much looking forward to this video! Thanks for sharing all the details!! You guys inspired me to go for a GT86 myself as my first ringtool. I've done many mods as well like AP racing brakes, KW suspension, diff cooler, turbo kit and so on. I am now thinking about a new differential, do you have any suggestions that might work well?

Rented a GT86 in 2013 for a ring track day and can confirm it was a hoot to drive (video on my channel). I'm surprised to hear other ring rental places have phased it out. You can money shift any manual car, so I'm not sure how that counts against the GT86. Planning to do my next track day with Apex because the approach of the business is exactly what I'm looking for.

So agree on the more power comment. I had no issue with the power or torque, but the torque dip on a canyon road was not very forgiving and made it difficult to keep the momentum.

I had totally forget to watch this video! Something that I've been anticipated, as much as GR Yaris' videos. I really love the stock spoiler over the M3 GTS (?) spoiler & the other spoiler that you guys put on, it looks so much more subtle compare to the other two; I remember y'all once run front splitter on the GT86? Or I mixed this up with the M4? Anyway... this is one of my favourite GT86 out there, mainly because it's still FA20, and I see Robert enjoy it.

Great Video! Very interesting details from Misha and George. - Maybe you can call the GT86 "Widow Maker Light". Crazy that you have more durable BMWs than Toyotas in the fleet. The world is upside down. :-)

Hi Misha, George &Robert.. Awesome Vlog on Toyota GT86 Love the black & gold colors! Mmm.. I LiKE the modifications done to the car!👍🙂👍 230hp hey? gee that's about what I got from my old Ford Esky RS2000 at the back wheels (225hp actually) itseems the GT86 is a car with character & personality that "grows on you" the more time u spend with it? To me this is what owning & driving a car is all about( like often wearing ones favorite pair of Jean's & T-shirt)👍😎👍 Az always LOVE Ya Work💕 Godbless u bro's & hava great weekend 🙂

This is absolutely my favorite car in your fleet. Get the Gen2 and do a comparison. hahaha!

Makes me want to buy an 86! Waiting on the new one to launch so prices settle down and I can finally build one for track-use!

Great and very information rich video, I guess that most people when they hire a car there want something more powerful than what they usually drive. 2.4 engine model has 233 hp and, importantly, has the power curve smoothed out so it doesn't have to be kept at high revs to avoid the 2.0's power dip

Installs solid engine and trans mounts, wonders why an already weak trans keeps breaking lol. Good on you guys for keeping it going though, love my 2020 no matter how much of a sitting duck I am on the straights.

dear Misha i never put the bell on because i don't like to be notified i just go to my subscription tab on youtube and look for new videos there and i'm still watching all your videos so you don't have to be that bitter about it...

It's so baffling to me that most people automatically assume that the GT86 provides a dull driving experience because of it's low power and torque. Yes you need to drive it hard to get the most out of it but when you do you feel more connected to it than most cars you'll be driving in your life.

When I think of light and well balanced driver cars I only think of two cars, the 86 and the MX5. Had a MX5 NC and really would like to give a 86 a try in the future, but for now I’ll probably have to buy a cheap beater. 😅

When Robert wants to keep the NA and wants more power he can do what Tim Schrick did with his Racer. He put an NA 6-Cylinder in it and I think that was quite quick when I remember it correctly. I think for George the change would be a piece of cake.

Misha, when you talk about the shifter issues, have you considered upgrading the shift springs & solid bushing the shifter assembly? I've running them along with a different slave cylinder and it makes a massive difference to the precision of the shifting and clutch throw.

I was looking at buying a GT86 or my current car back in january 2013. If it was just me and the wife it would have been the toyota, but with a daughter or 6 years old it just wasn't practical as the family car. No regrets though as I thoroughly enjoy the current car aswell and it has been fault free so far, still on the first gearbox and engine too!

It shines very well

This is an underpowered car, but people keep crashing it... Seriously, I've got a GT86, and this is the perfect car for learning how to drive on track, it is literally a joy.

I would love to know how much that gt86 weighs. It's great to hear people who get the car and are passionate about it. I've had mine for 5 years and I still love it just as much as I did on day 1. Also, put ITBs on it!!!! Then you get the noise, which I feel is the only thing I would want to improve.

Yes great track cars, Mazda RX8 twin brother. Ideal for small tracks here in Australia 🇦🇺

I get all the video notifications. Yours and robert's as well

Great video! as these tires aren't available at my country, what do you think of the Nankang NS-2R? a couple of track days per year

Great video. Obvious bias from me since I love my 86. Nuks to Toyota & Subaru for producing an affordable & safe RWD with a manual transmission. Sad that there really few comparable new vehicles on the market now.

I really like the 86 im looking to buy one in the next 6 months

In france the new 2020 regulations with the emissions tax the gt86 bumped it’s price quite a lot (the tax alone is 12500€) i think that’s what killed the car here.

Excellent video; could you make an episode discussing the GT86 and the Supra from the fun-factor perspective? I've had a BRZ for 10 years and love it; find myself tempted by the Supra but I am also aware of powerful cars being sometimes boring on public roads.

Should put a lightned flywheel in next time the box blows, fix some of the rev hang

2020 - two laps driven by me on that rental gt86. It was fun, but yes 3 and 4 gear were raspy.

I Love Roberts's outfit. Matches the car. What brand are those shoes he is wearing? Ha Ha

New GT86 will be on sale in EU. Intro around March, deliveries end of the year - all info from local dealer.

Great video, I was wondering why you are running the pre-facelift stock spoiler, on a facelift car (which would have the wing)? Is it because you had to swap the boot post crash?

Cheer up George, it'll be ok bud. Always soooooo serious.

I actually came over to drive the GT86, but it's just after an engine rebuild and then it's out for the day :( Can't wait to be able to come back for it, cause I only drove the short bit from apex to track parking....

I wonder, with what electronic nannies (or without) usually clients drive apex's GT86? Also what is alignment chosen for the ring, what camber, what toe, at front and rear?

Pretty hilarious that the GT86 keeps getting crashed, but not the M4 that is much faster and actually has a reputation for being a bit of a handful.

i'd like to give it a shot if i'll ever have the chance, i own a '18 BRZ which is completely stock and i'd like to see the difference with the mods you've installed!

Use *Redline shockproof lightweight* oil for the gt86/brz gearbox... It should help reduce crashing synchros to minimum.. and probably gearbox will last longer All other manual gear subie owner can relate to this especially 5mt (and this gt86 6mt were not much different design than the old 5mt and quite different level than the actual impreza sti 6mt)

Love the colour on this car! Can I ask what width and offset are the wheels?

Hi @Robert Mitchell, when you do your video about what should be your first track car could you please also mention what should be your second and third... i know its a lot of work but i am currently looking for my fifth track and i am looking for some inspiration...😉

If I wanted to build a gt-86 just like yours, do I go to MR or should I make my own spec for Latin-American tracks? I'm from Guatemala, love the videos

One of these is the only thing that would entice me away from old BMW's that i love to drive. My problem now is i've become addicted to the torque my mapped 330d pushes out so the lack of it in the GT86 might be disappointing. I really do need to go drive one, maybe this one next year when i visit the 'ring 🤔

is there any video of misha driving this car in the nurburgring? I would like to see this car in action.

I love the gt86 ist a very nice car .. ps very interesting vidie :)

Does the car not also have a different clutch and flywheel? I own a BRZ had and the car had engine failure and checked what other cars I could buy but quickly decided to get the engine rebuild. I am still in love with the car after five years :)