If you’re a Toyota Supra A90 fan, you probably already know this car has stirred up a lot of excitement since its launch. The Supra’s fun-to-drive attitude, turbocharged punch, and sharp lines make it a real head-turner. But for a lot of drivers, the stock handling just isn’t enough. Whether you hit the occasional track day or love spirited backroad drives, upgrading the Supra A90’s handling makes a noticeable difference. So, I gathered the insights of experienced mechanics, tuners, and expert drivers to put together practical advice on what actually works when dialing in the A90 chassis.
Why Supra A90 Handling Upgrades Make a Difference
The fifth gen Supra is built on a solid chassis and comes out of the box with rear wheel drive and a strong suspension setup. But enthusiasts quickly found a few quirks, like a tendency toward understeer at the limit and a “numb” steering feel. Thanks to shared BMW hardware, you get a good base, but also some big wins with aftermarket upgrades.
The handling can feel floaty on rough roads, and the stock tires leave some grip on the table. Drivers looking for sharper response, more predictability, and a bit more feedback often turn to tuning. According to several tuners and track day regulars I spoke with, simple upgrades can transform the Supra into a much more responsive and enjoyable car without making it uncomfortable for daily use. Plus, some owners have mentioned that dialing in the finer points of handling really helps bring the Supra up to next-level cool on twisty roads and at the track.
Main Areas to Upgrade on the Toyota Supra A90
The Supra’s handling can be dialed in by tweaking several parts of the suspension and chassis. Based on expert panel recommendations, here are the main areas most drivers focus on:
- Suspension Springs & Dampers: Upgrading from the factory units to adjustable coilovers or performance dampers is the starting point for most. This helps remove body roll, lets you lower the car, and sharpens things up without totally killing ride comfort. Big names like KW, Öhlins, and HKS get a lot of love from pros.
- Sway Bars: Swapping to slightly stiffer antiroll bars (front and rear) helps the A90 rotate more naturally. The car feels more neutral in corners, and you’re not fighting the understeer as much, especially at the track.
- Alignment Settings: Tuners agree a custom alignment, especially increased negative camber up front and a bit of toe adjustment, improves frontend grip and stability. Even with stock hardware, adjustments here pay off big.
- Bushings & Chassis Bracing: Upgrading to polyurethane bushings and adding bracing (like strut tower bars or underbody chassis braces) gives a boost to road feel and tightens up the chassis, which matters a lot for aggressive street or track use.
- Wheels & Tires: Sticky tires are probably the best dollar-for-dollar handling upgrade. Track focused tires let you push harder before losing grip. Some drivers go wider (like 255 or 265 front and up to 285 rear) for even more confidence.
Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Supra A90 Handling
Every Supra owner has a different goal. Some want a weekend canyon carver, others crave ultimate lap times, and a few just want a more enjoyable daily commute. Here’s a step by step approach most experts follow to avoid wasting money and getting the most out of each upgrade:
- Set Your Budget and Goal: Decide how you’ll use the car and how much you’re willing to spend. This helps avoid overspending on fancy race gear you’ll never use. If you track down local events, ask other owners what works best in your area.
- Upgrade Tires First: No matter your goal, a set of high performance summer tires gives instant grip and feedback. The experts all agree, don’t overlook your tires. Consider different tread patterns for both street and occasional track events, depending on what you stumble upon at your favorite shop.
- Move to Suspension Mods: After tires, adjustable coilovers or upgraded springs/dampers are the next step. These let you finetune height and firmness, and most keep the car comfortable for daily use. Coilovers offer flexibility, and many brands now make kits specifically for the Supra A90.
- Add Sway Bars and Bushings: If you still want more response, antiroll bars and stiffer bushings make the car feel glued to the road and improve cornering control. It’s a smart move for regular canyon runs or occasional autocross events. You might check out bushings made for your specific model to make sure they last and keep ride quality smooth.
- Professional Alignment: Finish with a precision alignment. Small changes to camber, toe, and caster settings pay off in sharper handling and less tire wear. Many performance shops know the Supra platform by now and can suggest settings to match your needs.
This sequence gives the biggest performance bump for the money and keeps things logical. Expert drivers say it’s tempting to go “all in” with fancy parts right off the bat, but starting with tires and dialing in each successive step brings out the best in the A90’s chassis without overcomplicating things. Stepwise upgrades let you spot improvements clearly at each stage and enjoy the process.
Common Handling Challenges and What to Know
Before dropping your wallet on upgrades, it’s good to know some specific challenges the Supra faces and what the expert panel points out as common discussion points. Knowing these will help you get ahead of any issues and make smarter choices:
- Wheel Hop: Aggressive launches and low grip surfaces can cause wheel hop, a rapid, unpleasant shaking. Upgraded bushings and improved dampers help reduce this. Some owners also fit subframe collars to solidify the rear end, which makes the difference more noticeable.
- Understeer: The A90 occasionally pushes wide during hard cornering, especially with the stock alignment and softer front end. Sway bars and negative camber cut this noticeably. Some also track down different tire compounds to further improve front end bite.
- Ride Comfort vs. Performance: Upgrading bushings and going full coilover can stiffen the ride. Choosing adjustable dampers and well tuned springs strikes a good balance between comfort and razor sharp handling. Many experts recommend not overspringing the car for street use. If you want to keep daily use practical, choose components known for street friendliness.
- Electronic Stability Control: While the Supra’s electronics are more forgiving than previous generations, suddenly removing too much roll or grip can sometimes “confuse” the systems. Tweaking the handling in small steps keeps everything working properly, so ease into your upgrades and test as you go.
Real World Results From Expert Drivers
A few drivers shared details from their own setups. One track day regular runs KW V3 coilovers, thicker Hotchkis sway bars, and a set of 265/35R19 front and 285/35R19 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The main feedback? The car feels way more planted, doesn’t understeer anymore, and the onroad ride is still totally liveable. The confidence you get in corners is eye catching, especially with a well tuned alignment.
Another mechanic noted that simply swapping to grippier tires and dialing in more negative camber up front provided 80% of the improvement, and was enough for daily and spirited use without breaking the bank. This stepwise feedback matches what most experts recommend. Don’t jump straight to the wildest setups unless you’re building a full track monster. Instead, enjoy each upgrade as you go, and see how it affects your driving style.
Drivers on forums often mention that the Supra A90’s stock balance, while good out of the box, hides a lot of potential. Sometimes you stumble upon setups in online threads that take a combination of commonly available parts and make the car really come alive, especially for weekend drives.
Popular Handling Upgrades: Recommendations & Brands
Plenty of aftermarket brands offer quality handling parts, but a few consistently get shout outs from experts and experienced owners. Here are some that keep popping up in conversations:
- Coilovers/Dampers: KW Suspension, Öhlins, HKS, and BC Racing are go to picks. They provide adjustability and quality builds for the A90 platform. These brands make it easy to dial in your ride without losing comfort for daily drives.
- Sway Bars: Eibach, H&R, and Hotchkis all offer well reviewed antiroll bar kits for the Supra and tend to make the biggest difference in dialing out understeer.
- Bushings/Bracing: Whiteline and SuperPro supply performance bushings and bracing. Cusco offers a bunch of strut tower and underbody braces that bolt in with no fuss, and are well liked for their fit and finish.
- Wheels & Tires: Lightweight wheels from Titan 7, Enkei, and Volk Racing are popular. For tires, Michelin Pilot Sport and Bridgestone Potenza S007A are top picks for street and light track use. Upgrading to wider wheels takes up a notch your contact patch and cornering grip.
Whatever you choose, buying from reputable brands that stand behind their products gives better results and fewer headaches down the line. You can check out forums like SupraMKV.com for real user reviews and see some impressive DIY setups. Sometimes, you may even stumble upon group buys or local clubs that can help you save cash and get expert help for installations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Supra A90 Handling Mods
Drivers always have a few quick questions before making their first suspension purchases. Here are some of the most common I’ve heard, along with straightforward answers from experts and experienced Supra owners.
Question: What’s the easiest way to make my Supra handle better for daily drives?
Answer: Upgrade to high performance summer tires. Even stock suspension feels sharper, and grip improves in every driving situation.
Question: Will coilovers make my Supra too rough for street use?
Answer: Not if you pick a set with softer spring rates and adjustable damping. Most high quality coilovers let you fine tune for both street and occasional track duty without feeling harsh.
Question: Is an alignment really worth it after mods?
Answer: Absolutely. Getting a performance oriented alignment dialed in is super important for getting the most from any handling upgrade. Even with just new tires, it’s worth doing.
Question: Can I install most of these parts myself?
Answer: Many parts, like sway bars or strut braces, are fairly easy for anyone with basic tools and some patience. Coilovers are more involved. If you’re not comfortable, get a shop to do the install and confirm alignment specs.
Final Thoughts: Unlocking More From Your Supra A90
Handling upgrades for the Toyota Supra A90 come in all shapes and sizes, but the main idea is to find what fits your driving style and comfort level. With just a few key upgrades, the Supra goes from sporty to seriously gripping, all while keeping daily comfort and reliability. The expert panel’s advice is to work through upgrades in a sensible order, pay attention to tire and alignment choices, and not get carried away chasing race car numbers for the street.
This approach brings out the best in the Supra A90, making every drive a little more exciting. Each tweak brings more precision and satisfaction behind the wheel, so take your time and enjoy discovering what your Supra can actually do on the road and the track.