In usual fashion, the monthly GT7 update brings in three new cars, a bunch of fixes and small features. But this one fixes one of the major game design issues the game had from release: access to engine swaps.
Image Credit: Gran Turismo
While the feature was technically present in the game, actually performing engine swaps was on the verge of being impossible. The only way to access them was basically the equivalent of winning the lottery: You could only earn them through roulette tickets, and the odds were not exactly favorable. You might have gotten a couple of them via dedicated engine tickets you could earn through recently added menu books, but what you would get was still subject to the will of the RNG gods. So unless they were able to exploit the short lived tickets glitch, most players likely had given up on the idea of ever enjoying the builds they dreamed of.
Engine Swaps are now possible in GT7 once players reach Collector Level 50. Image Credit: Gran Turismo
Engine Swaps are finally relevant
The 1.34 update changes this by allowing players to purchase engine swaps through the GT Auto menu. This, combined with the new lobby restrictions hosts can now setup in relation to swaps, makes the feature actually useable and relevant. If you did not get to experience a Porsche-engined Sambabus before, now is your chance. And you will also be granted the best animation in the game in the process. It is only required to reach Collector Level 50 to unlock the option.If Forza Horizon engine swaps have you scared of overpowered and unrealistic builds, GT swaps work very differently. Only specific engines are compatible with specific chassis, and swapping them will not change the drivetrain, gearbox, or tyre width - which can lead to pretty wild driving experiences. Most swaps are grounded in reality, either replicating or being inspired by popular swaps - and also unexpected ones like the R8 V8 in a SW20 Toyota MR2. And even the swaps that seemingly have never been done in real life seem to follow some kind of logic, aside from the Pikes Peak Escudo engine in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, but the crazy turbo lag actually makes it a worse car compared to one with the regular engine tuned up. The driving experience, however, is interesting.
The new Ultimate category lets players unlock even more performance at the Tuning Shop. Image Credit: Gran Turismo
Ultimate Tuning Parts
In a similar fashion, special tuning parts that were once locked behind roulette tickets can now be bought, including parts that were present in the game, but impossible to win, such as the Extreme Supercharger.As for the cars this update includes, no suprise there after Gran Turismo Producer Kaz Yamauchi's usual teaser tweet: the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce '67, the Greening Auto Company Maverick, and the 1990 NISMO R32 Skyline GT-R that was built as a homologation special for the Group A race car - which you can actually build a replica of with tuning parts.
For the full patch notes, see the details below.
