Can you supercharge an 86?
The quick answer: yes, you can supercharge an 86, but it’s a major upgrade that requires a purpose-built kit, supporting upgrades, and professional tuning to stay reliable and safe.
The Toyota 86 family (including the GT86 in many markets and its sibling the Subaru BRZ) uses a 2.0-liter FA20 engine with direct injection. Supercharging this engine can significantly increase power, but it also raises temperatures, stress the drivetrain, and demands careful planning. This article explains what to know, the options available, and how to navigate the process.
Why the 86 is a candidate for forced induction
Despite its lightweight, rear-drive layout, the 86’s stock NA power is modest by modern sports-car standards. A properly engineered supercharger kit can deliver meaningful gains without completely upending the car’s character, provided you manage cooling, fueling, and engine management correctly.
Before diving into a kit, consider these key factors that influence performance, reliability, and cost.
- Engine design and internals: The FA20’s 9.0:1 compression and direct injection help fuel economy and response, but high boost can raise the risk of detonation if timing and fueling aren’t carefully managed.
- Boost level and tuning: Most kits aim for a safe, driveable increase rather than a wild race-build. A dyno-tuned map is essential to avoid knock, keep AFRs in check, and preserve reliability.
- Fuel system requirements: Upgraded injectors and often a higher-capacity fuel pump or rails are needed to supply enough fuel under boost, especially with higher horsepower targets.
- Cooling and intercooling: Intercooling is critical to keep intake temperatures down; a properly sized intercooler and efficient charge-air piping help prevent heat soak and detonation.
- Drivetrain and chassis: More torque stresses the clutch or manual transmission, the automatic, the differential, and half-shafts. Check if your car’s drivetrain components will handle the increased load.
- Emissions, legality, and warranty: Some regions require emissions compliance; many manufacturers void factory warranties for boosted engines. Verify local rules and your warranty status before proceeding.
Concluding note: If you’re committed to a boosted 86, plan for a complete package rather than a single component. The best results come from a coordinated approach to boosting, fueling, cooling, and control.
Choosing a supercharger kit for the FA20 engine
There are several common kit approaches for the FA20, each with its own strengths. A well-matched kit includes not only the supercharger unit but also the supporting hardware and tuning necessary to run safely on pump gas.
- Supercharger type: Centrifugal and positive-displacement (roots/tolled) options are the two broad categories. Centrifugal units tend to offer strong, broad torque at higher RPMs and can be easier on the engine at lower boost, while roots/twin-screw styles often deliver quicker spool and immediate torque delivery but can require more robust intercooling and fuel control at higher boost.
- Core components: The kit should supply the supercharger, belt and tensioning system, intake plenum or adapter, intercooler with piping, bypass valve, and all required hardware to mount and route air.
- Fuel system upgrades: Upgraded injectors and a higher-capacity fuel pump or forge rails may be required to sustain boost under load, especially for power targets above the stock range.
- Engine management and tuning: A dedicated ECU calibration or a compatible engine-management solution is essential. Dyno tuning on a climate-controlled dyno will help ensure safe timing, AFRs, and boost control across RPMs.
- Cooling and ancillaries: An efficient intercooler, upgraded radiator or cooling system, and sometimes an oil-cooling solution help manage heat under boost.
- Fitment and space: The 86’s engine bay has limited space. Ensure the kit fits with your intake, exhaust, and hood clearance, and that it won’t interfere with other components.
Concluding note: Work with a reputable installer or shop that has prior FA20 boost experience. A kit chosen with your goals, fuel strategy, and local regulations in mind will yield the best results and reliability.
Installation and tuning considerations
Boosting the FA20 is not a casual weekend project. It requires precise installation, a reliable dyno tune, and ongoing monitoring to avoid unintended consequences like knock or poor drivability.
- Plan and budget: Include the kit, supporting hardware, installation, dyno tuning, fuel system upgrades, and potential cooling upgrades.
- Baseline and goals: Have a stock baseline dyno run and define horsepower/torque targets, driveability expectations, and daily-use needs.
- Professional installation: Choose a shop with FA20 boost experience. A clean install reduces air leaks, hose wear, and mis-tuning risks.
- Dyno tuning: A dedicated, monitored dyno tune is essential. Ensure the tune accounts for ambient temperature, fuel quality, and boost control to avoid detonation.
- Break-in and maintenance: Follow break-in procedures for the boosted setup, monitor oil temps, and perform regular PM on the cooling and fuel systems.
Concluding note: The installation quality and tuning quality are often the difference between a fun, reliable upgrade and a headache-inducing experience. Choose your kit and shop with care.
Pros
- Substantial power gains and improved throttle response when tuned correctly.
- More linear mid-range torque, improving driveability on twisty roads and track days.
- Potential for enhanced performance without a full engine rebuild.
Concluding note: The upside is meaningful performance with thoughtful setup; the trade-off is cost, heat, and maintenance.
Cons
- Higher upfront cost and ongoing maintenance compared to a stock engine.
- Increased heat output, which may require cooling upgrades and careful heat management.
- Potential warranty voidance and need for local regulatory compliance checks.
Concluding note: Weigh these trade-offs against your goals and daily driving needs before committing.
Is a supercharged 86 right for you? Alternatives to consider
If you’re seeking more power without some of the complexities of boost, or if warranty and reliability are priorities, you might explore these options:
- Turbocharging: Often a more compact package with strong peak power potential, but it introduces its own set of tuning and heat management challenges.
- Built-in performance packages: Some manufacturers offer high-performance variants or factory-supported upgrades that preserve warranty and offer staged power increases.
- Simple bolt-ons plus ECU reflash: Intake, exhaust, and a professional tune can yield noticeable gains with lower risk and cost than a full forced-induction system.
Concluding note: Each route has its own risk/benefit profile. Align your choice with budget, intended use (street, track, daily driving), and tolerance for maintenance and regulatory considerations.
Summary
Boosting an 86 is a legitimate and popular route to markedly increased performance, but it demands careful planning. A proper kit, upgraded fueling and cooling, and a professional tune are essential for reliability. Expect higher costs, more heat management, and thoughtful maintenance. If you approach it with clear goals and a reputable builder, a boosted 86 can deliver engaging performance that stays within the car’s chassis dynamics and daily usability.
