KOYORAD Radiator for Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ & GR86

The Unusual Fitment Note (In a Good Way)

Unlike most KOYORAD performance radiators, the 86/BRZ/GR86 range fits BOTH manual and automatic transmissions. The radiator design accommodates the internal transmission cooler arrangement on both gearbox types, so you don't need an external auxiliary cooler regardless of which transmission you have. This is the rare exception in the KOYORAD catalogue — most of their other performance radiators are manual-only.

Chassis & Engine Fitment

• Gen 1 — VH012664N (36mm) or HH012664 (48mm Competition): 2013–2016 Scion FR-S, 2013–2021 Subaru BRZ, 2017–2021 Toyota 86 (all FA20 2.0L)
• Gen 2 — VH012664N (36mm) or HH012664 (48mm Competition): 2022+ Subaru BRZ, 2022+ Toyota GR86 (all FA24 2.4L)
• Both transmissions: Manual AND automatic — no external trans cooler required
• Backwards compatible: Both radiators fit Gen 1 and Gen 2 platforms — same physical dimensions, updated internal partition design

Why the FA20 & FA24 86/BRZ/GR86 Needs a Radiator Upgrade

The 86/BRZ platform has earned a reputation for being a brilliant chassis with a constrained cooling system, and that reputation is deserved. The factory radiator is genuinely undersized for spirited driving — and Toyota and Subaru know this. Two structural issues conspire against the factory cooling:

1. The small grille opening. Both Gen 1 and Gen 2 use a relatively narrow front grille for aesthetic reasons. That limits the airflow available to the cooling system, particularly at lower speeds where the engine is producing heat but the car isn't moving enough air through the radiator. Track-day 86/BRZ/GR86 owners universally report rising coolant temps after a few hard laps — the airflow simply runs out.

2. The plastic-tank OEM radiator design. Like every modern car, the factory radiator uses an aluminium core with plastic end tanks. After 8–10 years (which is now the Gen 1 cars in Australia), the plastic tanks begin to fail from thermal cycling — typically at the inlet tank near the hose outlet. Almost every original-owner Gen 1 BRZ/FR-S/86 in Australia is now in the failure window. The Gen 2 cars (2022+) are obviously much newer but still inherit the same plastic-tank failure mode.

The KOYORAD upgrade addresses both: all-aluminium construction (no plastic to crack), 36mm or 48mm core depth depending on which version you choose (vs the OEM core's much thinner profile), and KOYORAD's NFLO internal partition technology for maximum cooling efficiency in the tight 86/BRZ engine bay.

VH012664N (36mm Hyper V-Core) — The Street & Track Choice

The VH012664N is KOYORAD's standard performance radiator for the platform and the right answer for most owners. 36mm Hyper V-Core construction with NFLO internal partition technology, all-aluminium with hand TIG-welded end tanks.

Key specs:

• Core: 36mm Hyper V-Core with NFLO dual-pass internal partition
• Dimensions: Core depth 1.417", core height 13.50", core width 25.50"
• Weight: 11.8 lbs (~5.4kg)
• Thickness gain: 44% thicker than Gen 2 OEM, 125% thicker than Gen 1 OEM
• Construction: All-aluminium, hand TIG-welded tanks, Nocolok-brazed core, brushed finish
• Pressure tested: Individually triple pressure tested at the factory
• Includes: 1/8 PT accessory port for aftermarket water temp sensor
• Transmission: Manual and automatic — no external cooler required

This is the right radiator for: daily-driven 86/BRZ/GR86 cars, weekend canyon/spirited drives, occasional track days, autocross, and any 86/BRZ owner replacing a failing OEM radiator. The 36mm core provides meaningful cooling capacity over OEM without sacrificing engine bay airflow.

HH012664 (48mm Competition Spec) — The Track Build Choice

For owners running serious track time or dedicated motorsport use, KOYORAD makes a 48mm "Competition Spec" version of the same radiator. Identical mounting points, identical fitment, identical fan shroud retention — but with a 13% thicker core (48mm vs 36mm) for maximum thermal capacity.

Key specs:

• Core: 48mm Hyper V-Core with NFLO dual-pass internal partition
• Construction: All-aluminium, hand TIG-welded tanks, Nocolok-brazed core, brushed finish
• Pressure tested: Individually triple pressure tested
• Transmission: Manual and automatic
• Fitment: Backwards compatible with all 2013-2021 and 2022+ chassis

This is the right radiator for: regular track-day 86/BRZ owners, time attack builds, dedicated competition cars, or owners running tuning that increases heat output (turbo conversions, supercharger kits, big naturally-aspirated builds). The additional 12mm of core depth meaningfully increases cooling reserve for sustained track use.

For most street-driven cars and occasional track days, the 36mm VH012664N is genuinely sufficient — the 48mm HH012664 earns its place on cars that see consistent hard use rather than occasional spirited driving.

Thermal Relief Cutouts — A KOYORAD-Specific Detail

Worth flagging because it's a real engineering differentiator on these radiators: KOYORAD includes strategically placed thermal relief cutouts in the 86/BRZ/GR86 radiator design. These allow the core to flex slightly under extreme heat cycling without warping or stressing the welded joints.

In practical terms: on track days and sustained hot-cool cycles, factory radiators and lower-grade aluminium radiators can warp because the entire core expands and contracts as a rigid structure. The thermal relief cutouts give the KOYORAD core somewhere to flex, which means it stays geometrically true and doesn't put cumulative stress on the tank welds. It's the kind of detail that separates an engineered radiator from a generic aluminium replacement.

Installation Notes

Both the VH012664N and HH012664 install in the factory radiator position using OEM mounting points, OEM fan shroud bolts, and OEM hose locations. No cutting, no bracket modification, no relocation of supporting components.

Two practical things to know:

1. Radiator cap not included. Both KOYORAD options ship without a radiator cap because cap pressure ratings vary by build target. Most owners reuse the OEM cap (which fits the KOYORAD's filler neck), but for tuned or track cars we recommend the higher-pressure KOYORAD SK-C13 1.3 Bar cap as an upgrade.

2. Optional water temp sensor port. Both radiators include a 1/8 PT accessory port plugged from the factory. If you run an aftermarket coolant temperature gauge or data logging, the port accepts a standard 1/8 PT thread sensor for direct radiator-mounted temperature reading.

How the 86/BRZ/GR86 KOYORAD Compares to Alternatives

The main competing radiators in the AU market for this platform are Mishimoto and CSF. Both make solid 86/BRZ/GR86-specific radiators.

vs Mishimoto: Mishimoto's 2022+ BRZ/GR86 radiator uses a 36mm two-row core with 34% increased core volume over OEM — meaningful gain but less than KOYORAD's 44% thickness increase. Mishimoto's lifetime warranty + accident protection is industry-leading. KOYORAD's NFLO partition technology and hand TIG-welded construction are the differentiators on the build-quality side. Pricing is broadly comparable.

vs CSF: CSF makes a strong 86/BRZ radiator with their newest fin technology. Less commonly stocked in the AU market than KOYORAD or Mishimoto. KOYORAD's decades of platform-specific fitment experience is reflected in the install quality on these cars.

For a detailed cross-brand breakdown, see our KOYORAD vs Mishimoto vs CSF buyer's guide.

Build Path — Where the Radiator Fits

For most 86/BRZ/GR86 owners, the radiator upgrade earns its place at one of three points in a build:

Stage 0 — OEM radiator failure (Gen 1 cars). If your 2013-2021 86/BRZ/FR-S is showing signs of plastic-tank failure (weeping coolant, hairline cracks at the seam, slow coolant loss), the KOYORAD upgrade is the permanent fix rather than a repeat 8-10 year service item. Almost every Gen 1 car in Australia is now in the failure window.

Stage 1 — Naturally aspirated bolt-ons. Even with bolt-on supporting mods (intake, exhaust, headers, ECU flash), the FA20/FA24 doesn't produce dramatically more heat than stock. The radiator upgrade is more about cooling reserve and consistency than raw capacity. Worth doing as part of the build, not the most urgent upgrade.

Stage 2 — Forced induction or serious track use. Once you've added a turbo kit, supercharger, or you're running regular track days, the cooling system becomes a genuine bottleneck. The KOYORAD upgrade (or the Competition Spec 48mm) restores the headroom forced induction or hard track use requires.

Stage 3 — Built motor, big power builds. Mandatory at this point, and almost certainly the Competition Spec 48mm rather than the standard 36mm.

Supporting Mods for the 86 / BRZ / GR86

The radiator handles cooling — for the rest of the 86/BRZ/GR86 build, pair with the Chicane Australia range:

• Brakes: DIXCEL brake pads — both Gen 1 and Gen 2 platforms covered
• Suspension: Hardrace control arms, bushings and supporting suspension components
• Aero: APR Performance wings, splitters and diffusers for track-focused builds
• Exhaust: KORSH catbacks for FA20 and FA24

Shop the Full KOYORAD Range

KOYORAD main collection
KOYORAD for Subaru WRX / STI
KOYORAD for Nissan Skyline R32 / R33 / R34

Need help choosing between the VH012664N and HH012664? Contact us or email sales@chicaneaustralia.com.au — we know the FA20 and FA24 platforms and we'll spec the right radiator for your build.