An engine swap in Forza Motorsport 7 replaces the engine of your car with one from another car. It is the biggest single change you can make to a build, and the easiest one to get wrong.
Here is the full list of swap engines, how to do a swap, and how I would choose.
Every engine swap in Forza Motorsport 7
| Engine | Stock power | Comes from | Aspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.9L V8, Racing | 825 hp | NASCAR style stock car V8 | Naturally aspirated |
| 6.2L V8, supercharged | 707 hp | Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat | Supercharged |
| 2.6L 4 Rotor, Racing | 690 hp | Mazda 787B | Naturally aspirated |
| 6.0L V12 | 650 hp | Ferrari Enzo | Naturally aspirated |
| 5.2L V10 | 562 hp | Lamborghini Gallardo | Naturally aspirated |
| 4.5L V8 | 562 hp | Ferrari 458 Italia | Naturally aspirated |
| 3.0L V8, Racing | 475 hp | Ariel Atom V8 | Naturally aspirated |
| 7.0L V8 | 425 hp | 1970s Dodge muscle cars | Naturally aspirated |
| 6.2L V8 | 415 hp | Modern Chevrolet V8 | Naturally aspirated |
| 1.6L I4, Turbo Rally | 375 hp | Modern rally cars, no exact match | Turbo |
| 3.0L F6 | 355 hp | Porsche 911, no exact match | Naturally aspirated |
| 3.2L I6 | 333 hp | BMW M3 (E46) | Naturally aspirated |
| 3.7L V6 | 332 hp | Nissan 370Z | Naturally aspirated |
| 2.5L F4, Turbo | 305 hp | Subaru WRX STI | Turbo |
| 2.6L I6, twin turbo | 276 hp | Nissan Skyline GT-R | Twin turbo |
| 1.3L 2 Rotor | 232 hp | Mazda RX-8 | Naturally aspirated |
| 2.0L I4, VVT | 212 hp | Honda Civic Type R | Naturally aspirated |
The power figures are for the stock engine, before you add any upgrades. With cams, intake, exhaust and a turbo or supercharger where the engine accepts one, every number goes up a lot.
A note on the source. The game never gives you this list in one place. It comes from the swap spreadsheet that the tuner ManteoMax kept on the official Forza forums, which I checked the old version of this page against. That list was last updated in early 2018, so an engine added with a later car pack could be missing.
How to do an engine swap
- Go to Cars, pick the car and open Upgrade.
- Choose Custom Upgrade.
- Open the Conversion tab. It has three options: Engine Swap, Drivetrain Swap and Aspiration.
- Open Engine Swap and choose from the engines offered for that car.
- Buy it, then go back and fit the engine upgrades again. The parts of the old engine do not carry over.
Two things people miss:
- Each car gets a short list. Most cars offer one to three engines. Some offer none. You cannot put any engine in any car.
- The swap changes the class. The Performance Index goes up, sometimes by a whole class. In homologated career races the car has to stay inside the limits of its division, so check them before you spend the credits.
Which engine to pick
| If you want | Look for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed in a heavy car | 5.9L V8 Racing or the supercharged 6.2L V8 | The two most powerful swaps. Big torque, big weight on the nose |
| Power without ruining the balance | 3.0L V8 Racing | Small and light for 475 hp. It keeps the front of the car alive |
| A light car that still turns | 2.0L I4 VVT, 1.6L Turbo Rally or the 1.3L 2 Rotor | Light engines. The lap time comes from the corners |
| The best sound in the game | 2.6L 4 Rotor Racing | The 787B engine. 690 hp and that scream |
| A classic muscle build | 7.0L V8 | Period correct and enough torque for any straight |
Power is the easy part
Most people open the list, buy the biggest number and then wonder why the car is slower around a lap.
It is the same in a real car. When an engineer adds weight to the front, the first thing the driver feels is that the car does not want to turn in. A big V8 in a small hatchback does exactly that. You gain on the straight and you lose it all in the next three corners.
So before you swap, ask what the car is missing:
- It is slow on the straights but good in corners. A swap can help. Pick the lightest engine that gets you the power.
- It already understeers. Do not add a heavier engine. Try the stock engine with upgrades, or an aspiration conversion.
- It spins its wheels out of every corner. More power makes it worse. Fix traction first with tyres, differential and maybe a drivetrain swap to all wheel drive.
After a swap, look at the weight distribution number in the upgrade screen. If the front percentage went up by more than two or three points, expect understeer and plan for it: softer front anti-roll bar, a bit more front aero if the class allows it.
Swap or upgrade the stock engine?
A swap is expensive in credits and in Performance Index. Very often the stock engine with a turbo or supercharger gets you to the same power for fewer PI points, and the car keeps its balance.
My rule: build the stock engine first. Only swap if you hit the ceiling of the class with power left on the table, or if the stock engine cannot reach the power you need at all.
The exception is sound and fun. If you want a four rotor in your Mazda because it makes you smile, do it. Not every build has to be the fastest one.
Drivetrain and aspiration conversions
The same Conversion tab has two more options, and they matter as much as the engine:
- Drivetrain Swap. Change to rear wheel drive or all wheel drive where the car allows it. All wheel drive helps launches and traction, and adds weight and understeer.
- Aspiration. Add a turbo, twin turbo or supercharger to an engine that accepts one. A supercharger gives power from low revs. A turbo gives more at the top and less at the bottom.
If you are new to tuning the car after the swap, my Forza Motorsport 7 tips cover the basics. For the wheel, see the FM7 Logitech settings.
Can you still play Forza Motorsport 7?
Yes, if you own it. Microsoft removed the game and its DLC from sale on 15 September 2021 because licences were running out. If it is in your library, you can still download and play it.
If you are on the newer games, the swap lists are different. I have them here: Forza Horizon 5 engine swaps and Forza Horizon 4 engine swaps.
FAQ
How many engine swaps are in Forza Motorsport 7?
The community list documents 17 swap engines. Each car only offers a few of them.
What is the most powerful engine swap in FM7?
The 5.9L V8 Racing with 825 hp stock. The supercharged 6.2L V8 from the Hellcat is second with 707 hp.
Where is the engine swap option in Forza Motorsport 7?
In the upgrade shop: Upgrade, Custom Upgrade, then the Conversion tab and Engine Swap.
Can I put any engine in any car?
No. The game decides which engines each car can take. Most cars have one to three options and some have none.
Do upgrades carry over after an engine swap?
No. The new engine starts stock. You have to buy the engine upgrades again.
Does an engine swap change the car class?
It raises the Performance Index, and often that moves the car up a class. Check the number before you buy.
Is an engine swap always faster?
No. A heavier engine hurts the balance and costs PI points. Often the stock engine with upgrades gives a better lap time.
Can you swap the drivetrain in Forza Motorsport 7?
Yes. Drivetrain Swap is in the same Conversion tab, and many cars can change to rear wheel drive or all wheel drive.