GTA 5 Online: A Complete Guide to Hao's Special Works (HSW) Upgrades

[SolarWolf]

For players on the newer versions of GTA Online (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S), Hao's Special Works (HSW) is a dedicated performance upgrade shop inside the LS Car Meet. Run by Hao, it replaces the standard mod shop that was in that location on the older versions of the game. In general, it's the place to go for the absolute top-tier performance modifications on a specific, growing list of vehicles. Think of it as the next step beyond the standard Los Santos Customs or even Benny's Original Motor Works.

How do I use Hao's Special Works?

You need to be inside the LS Car Meet. The most common way to access it is by sitting in your personal vehicle while it's parked in the meet and using the vehicle menu to drive it into the HSW workshop bay. Once inside, the interface is similar to a regular mod shop, but only vehicles that are HSW-compatible will show the special upgrade options. There's also a laptop near the workshop area that lists all currently available vehicles for conversion.

Which vehicles can be upgraded, and how much does it cost?

HSW upgrades are available for two types of vehicles: brand-new cars released for the enhanced version of the game (like the Karin S95 or Coil Cyclone II) and a selection of existing classic vehicles (like the Bravado Banshee or Übermacht Sentinel XS).

The process involves two main costs:

The Base Vehicle: You must own the car first.

The HSW Conversion: This is a mandatory, one-time upgrade that unlocks all other HSW modifications for that specific vehicle. This conversion fee is separate and can be quite high, often over $1,000,000 for the older cars.

For example, upgrading a standard Bravado Banshee requires you to buy the car (around $105,000) and then pay a conversion fee of $1,840,000. The total investment is significant, which is why most players carefully choose their first HSW project based on personal preference or current race metas.

What do HSW upgrades actually do?

Once a vehicle is converted, you can apply a suite of exclusive upgrades:

Performance: HSW Engine, Transmission, Turbo (for gas vehicles), Suspension, and Brakes. These offer a noticeable performance increase over standard max upgrades. For electric vehicles, unique "HSW Modes" (like Race or Sport) are available instead of turbo tuning.

Cosmetics: Exclusive liveries, forged carbon body parts (bumpers, hoods, skirts, etc.), and spoiler options. One livery is unlocked by completing all eight HSW Time Trials.

The key benefit is acceleration. HSW upgrades add a second bar to the acceleration stat, effectively allowing these cars to accelerate up to twice as fast as their non-HSW counterparts. Top speed is also often increased, but the explosive acceleration is the most dramatic change in practice.

What are HSW Time Trials and Races?

HSW Time Trials: These are weekly time trials, marked on the map with a unique purple stopwatch icon, that can only be attempted with an HSW-upgraded vehicle. The par time you need to beat actually changes depending on the performance class of your HSW vehicle (Class A, B, or C). Completing all eight unique courses unlocks the exclusive "HSW Elite" livery.

HSW Race Series: A set of land races that are restricted to HSW vehicles only. These are good for testing your tuned car against others in a competitive setting. It's worth noting that the high speeds involved mean races are often more about control and avoiding crashes than in standard races.

What is the HSW Specification Service?

This is a unique feature within the LS Car Meet. If you park your personal vehicle (that is allowed in the meet) in a designated spot, other players can inspect and purchase an exact copy of your build, including its HSW upgrades. The benefit is that if someone buys your design, both you and the buyer receive a voucher for a free HSW modification. This is a legitimate way for players to earn money and get discounts on expensive parts, contrasting with the risky shortcuts some seek, like looking for gta 5 modded accounts for sale from unreliable third-party sources. The in-game service is the intended and safe method to acquire premium builds.

What's the "Premium Test Ride"?

Inside the LS Car Meet test track area, you'll often find a rotating "Premium Test Ride" vehicle. This is a fully HSW-upgraded car that any player can borrow to drive on the test track. It changes weekly and is the best way for most players to try out an HSW vehicle's performance before committing millions of dollars to purchase and upgrade it themselves.

Is HSW worth it for the average player?

It depends on your goals.

For Racing Enthusiasts: If you regularly race, especially in HSW-enabled races or time trials, upgrading a meta vehicle is almost essential to be competitive.

For Collectors and Enjoyment: If you simply love a particular car and want the fastest possible version of it for freemode driving or shows, it can be a satisfying endgame money sink.

For Casual Players: The enormous cost is hard to justify. Standard supercars and sports cars are still very fast and more than adequate for most activities. Most players recommend trying the weekly Premium Test Ride first to see if the difference feels worthwhile to you.