Not the Upgrade Toyota Had in Mind
One of the biggest complaints about the previous-generation Toyota 86 was its modest factory output of around 200 horsepower. Toyota addressed that with the launch of the second-generation GR86 for the 2022 model year, equipping it with Subaru’s 2.4-liter FA24 boxer engine, which makes 228 horsepower in U.S.-spec form. However, one owner decided to swap it out anyway, replacing it with something a little different – a Honda engine.
More specifically, this 2023 GR86 was swapped with a 2.4-liter Honda K24 inline-four. The K-series is well known in the tuning world as a reliable and relatively affordable platform for making more power. According to MA-Motorsports, the shop behind the swap, the decision came after the factory FA24 suffered internal damage when its harmonic balancer broke off. The builder said it wanted to stick with a Japanese replacement engine, but made one thing clear: “No more Subaru.”
Bridging Two Worlds
The K24 was installed using a swap kit originally designed for the 86, though the shop said it had to be slightly modified to fit the GR86. The kit also included engine mounts, a fabricated oil pan, and an adapter plate that allowed the car to retain its factory 6-speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, the stock ABS was replaced with a BMW Mk60 from an E46 M3.
This build is claimed to produce 240 wheel horsepower, which would translate to a higher figure at the crank. More importantly, it already surpasses the stock output.
The vehicle was bought exclusively to serve as a track car, which is obvious from the interior layout. The stripped-out cabin retains only the driver’s seat – an OMP unit – along with a Momo steering wheel and a custom aluminum dashboard. Other equipment includes an ECUMaster PMU-16, a Link CAN keypad, a Link 7-inch display, and an AiM Solo 2 for recording lap times.
The Swap That Makes Sense on Paper
MA-Motorsports explained that the K24 was the ideal choice due to a specific horsepower target for a particular class. Beyond that, the K-series is such a popular swap platform that it benefits from far broader aftermarket support – similar to General Motors’ LS engines – compared to sticking with or rebuilding the FA24.
The total cost of the build wasn’t disclosed. For context, a brand-new GR86 with the FA24 – shared with the Subaru BRZ – starts at $31,200 in the U.S., excluding destination fees.
