How to Get HSW Upgrades in GTA 5: Hao's Special Works Complete Guide
2026-07-20
Unlock HSW once, and you can turn certain cars into absolute monsters for races, grinding, or just flexing in free roam.
Hao's Special Works (HSW) are next‑gen performance mods in GTA Online that dramatically improve a car’s speed, acceleration, and handling on compatible vehicles. These upgrades are only available on the expanded/enhanced version of GTA 5 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and now PC), and they live inside the LS Car Meet in Los Santos.
How to Get HSW Upgrades in GTA 5 Guide
- Check your platform
Make sure you’re on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or the enhanced PC version; HSW does not appear on PS4/Xbox One.
- Unlock HSW via Hao’s time trial
Go to Hao’s HSW marker on the map, start his special time trial, and finish it before the time limit.
- Claim your free Karin S95 and first voucher
After completing the trial, grab your free Karin S95 from Southern San Andreas Super Autos and use the free HSW performance upgrade voucher on any compatible car.
- Upgrade at LS Car Meet
Take an HSW‑compatible car to LS Car Meet, enter Hao’s workshop, and apply the HSW Performance Upgrade and extra tuning parts.
Useful Pro Tips for HSW Upgrades
1. Check compatibility first
Not every car supports HSW. If you don’t see “HSW Performance Upgrade” in Hao’s menu, that car isn’t compatible.
Pro tip: Generally, newer sports/super cars and some bikes are the best candidates.
2. Use HSW cars for money grinding
Faster cars make contact missions, time trials, and races quicker, so you earn more cash per hour.
Pro tip: Save a dedicated “money grind” HSW car and keep its setup focused purely on speed and handling.
3. Learn HSW race routes
HSW race series and time trials often repeat.
Pro tip: Run each route a few times in free roam to learn corner lines; this matters more than raw speed once you have HSW.
4. Don’t forget brakes and suspension
Extra speed is useless if the car becomes uncontrollable.
Pro tip: Add better brakes and lower suspension to keep HSW cars stable, especially in city races.
Quick Strategy Recap
If you want the fastest path to HSW and free upgrades:
- Unlock HSW by completing Hao’s time trial and beating 8:10 if you can.
- Claim your free Karin S95 from Southern San Andreas Super Autos.
- Use the first free HSW voucher on an expensive, HSW‑compatible car at the LS Car Meet.
- Use the player‑to‑player purchase trick in LS Car Meet to earn a second voucher cheaply, then spend it on another top HSW car.
This way, you walk away with a free HSW car and up to two high‑value upgrades without burning millions of GTA$.
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Learn MoreFAQs
Q: Do I need lots of money to start HSW?
A: No. Unlocking HSW in GTA 5 is free, and you get at least one free HSW upgrade plus a free Karin S95 if you beat Hao’s time.
Q: Can I lose the Karin S95 or voucher if I wait?
A: No, the GTA 5 rewards stay available; you can claim them later as long as you completed the intro HSW time trial.
Q: Are HSW upgrades pay‑to‑win in GTA 5?
A: They’re strong, but still use in‑game cash only. Skill and knowing routes still matter a lot in races.
Q: What’s the best way to use HSW early on?
A: Upgrade one reliable car for races/missions, then use its extra speed to earn money for more HSW builds.
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