Next Level Performance
August 1, 2026 • 11 min read
The KW V3 coilover kit for the 2014-2019 Chevrolet Corvette C7 is a fully height-, rebound-, and compression-adjustable suspension that replaces the Corvette’s factory transverse composite leaf springs and, on Magnetic Ride cars, deletes the electronic dampers without setting a single fault code. At $5,094 it is the most complete bolt-in handling upgrade you can buy for a C7 Stingray, Grand Sport, Z06, or ZR1. We install KW coilovers regularly at our Tampa, FL shop, and this review breaks down exactly what the V3 changes, what it drops, and whether the price is justified over a set of sway bars and shocks.
Our Verdict
The KW V3 is the definitive C7 Corvette coilover: TUV-approved, stainless, and the only kit that cleanly cancels Magnetic Ride.
If you want independent control of ride height, rebound, and low-speed compression on a C7 — without warning lights from the deleted magnetic dampers — the KW Variant 3 is the kit to buy. It is a premium purchase, but it is the only four-corner coilover system that solves the C7’s leaf-spring and Magnetic Ride problems at once.
Shop Our Top Pick →What Is the KW V3 Coilover Kit for the C7 Corvette?
The KW V3 (Variant 3) is a complete, four-corner coilover system designed for the 2014-2019 Corvette C7 that gives the driver independent adjustment of ride height, rebound damping, and low-speed compression damping. Unlike a lowering spring or a fixed monotube shock, a coilover combines the spring and damper into one threaded assembly so you can corner-balance the car and set exact ride height. KW’s part number for the Magnetic Ride version is 35261025, and it is the flagship of KW’s three-tier lineup (V1 rebound-only, V2 rebound-adjustable, V3 rebound and compression-adjustable).
Two details make the C7 application unusual. First, the Corvette does not use conventional coil springs from the factory — it runs transverse composite (fiberglass) leaf springs front and rear, so the KW kit includes the hardware to remove them entirely. Second, Stingray Z51, Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1 models are commonly fitted with GM’s Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MRC), and this kit ships with a KW electronic damping cancellation unit (EDC delete) so the factory computer does not throw a suspension fault when the magnetic dampers are removed.
Key Specifications
How the C7’s Leaf Springs and Magnetic Ride Change the Install
Installing coilovers on a C7 Corvette is not the same job as on a typical sports car, and the KW V3 kit is engineered around two Corvette-specific quirks. The C7 uses a single transverse composite leaf spring at each end of the car instead of individual coil springs. The KW kit removes both leaf springs and replaces them with conventional coil-over-damper assemblies at all four corners, which is why KW lists this as a complete kit that "includes leaf spring removal."
The second issue is Magnetic Selective Ride Control. GM’s magnetorheological dampers are standard on the Z06, Grand Sport, and ZR1 and optional on the Stingray Z51 (FE4), and simply unplugging them normally triggers a persistent suspension warning. KW is the only manufacturer that supplies a factory-integrated cancellation unit — included in the 35261025 kit — that shuts down the serial damper regulation while avoiding trouble codes. That is the single biggest reason C7 owners with Mag Ride choose KW over a cheaper coilover: the electronics are handled, not hacked. Budget several hours of labor for the swap, an alignment afterward, and plan to corner-balance the car for the cleanest result.
The KW V3 replaces the C7’s transverse composite leaf springs with a threaded coil-over strut at each corner.
Ride Height and Damping: What You Can Actually Dial In
The KW V3 gives the C7 a continuously adjustable ride height of 10-35 mm (0.4-1.4 in) at the front axle and 15-45 mm (0.6-1.8 in) at the rear, set on threaded strut housings rather than by spring perches, so you can level the car or run an aggressive stance without sacrificing shock travel. Front spring rate is 286 lb/in and rear is 514 lb/in — firmer than stock, but tuned to keep the Corvette compliant on the street.
Where the V3 separates itself from the V1 and V2 is independent damping. Using KW’s patented TVR-A (rebound) and TVC-A (compression) valve technology, rebound is adjusted separately from low-speed compression. In practice that means you can firm up body control and turn-in without also beating up your spine over Tampa’s expansion joints — you dial rebound for comfort and compression for handling dynamics, independently. Every V3 ships with TUV-tested adjustment parameters, so the safe range of settings is validated rather than left to guesswork.
Separate rebound and low-speed compression adjusters let you tune comfort and body control independently.
Build Quality, Corrosion Resistance, and Warranty
The V3 belongs to KW’s "inox-line," meaning the strut housings are stainless steel rather than coated steel. KW’s stainless composite is rated 100 percent corrosion-resistant with an unlimited service life, and because the finish cannot wear off, the threaded collars stay adjustable years down the road — a real advantage on a car that sees salt, rain, or track fluids. For a Corvette owner who plans to keep the car, that longevity is a meaningful part of the $5,094 value proposition.
KW backs the V3 inox-line with up to a five-year warranty when installed through a KW specialist dealer, and the kit carries TUV approval — the German technical authority’s sign-off that the design is road-safe at its rated settings. In our experience fitting KW hardware, the tolerances and instructions are excellent, which keeps install time predictable and the post-install alignment straightforward. Torque the collars to spec, set your corner weights, and the C7 rewards you with flatter, more planted cornering than any leaf-spring setup can deliver.
What We Like
- + Only C7 coilover that cancels Magnetic Ride with no fault codes
- + Independent rebound and low-speed compression adjustment
- + Inox-line stainless struts, 100 percent corrosion-resistant
- + TUV-approved with up to a 5-year warranty
Things to Consider
- – $5,094 is a premium over sway bars or lowering springs
- – Removing Magnetic Ride trades adaptive damping for manual tuning
- – Professional install and corner-balance strongly recommended
KW V3 vs. Other C7 Corvette Suspension Options
Not every C7 owner needs a full coilover. If you keep the factory Magnetic Ride dampers, a set of adjustable sway bars or a fixed monotube shock kit can sharpen the car for a fraction of the price. Here is how the KW V3 stacks up against the most popular bolt-on suspension parts we sell for the C7 — from full coilovers down to a simple lowering-spring set.
| Kit | Component Type | Adjustability | Coverage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KW Coilover Kit V3Top Pick | Full coilover | Height + rebound + compression | All 4 corners | $5,094.00 |
| aFe Control JOC Signature Shock Set | Monotube shocks | Fixed street/track valving | All 4 corners | $1,099.00 |
| aFe Control PFADT Sway Bar Set | Sway bars | 3-position adjustable | Front + rear | $897.00 |
| Hotchkis Sport Sway Bar Set | Sway bars | Multi-position adjustable | Front + rear | $764.10 |
| aFe Control PFADT Lowering Springs | Lowering springs | Fixed drop | All 4 corners | $252.00 |
The aFe Control Johnny O’Connell shocks are the value play for owners who want a firmer, track-capable damper without deleting Mag Ride entirely or spending coilover money. They are a fixed-valving monotube set tuned with Corvette racing champion Johnny O’Connell, and at $1,099 they pair well with the aFe PFADT or Hotchkis sway bars for a balanced street/track setup.
Hotchkis sway bars are a multi-position, budget-friendly way to cut body roll while keeping Magnetic Ride.
The aFe PFADT lowering springs deliver a modest drop at the lowest price point in the C7 lineup.
Who Should Buy the KW V3 for a C7 Corvette?
The KW V3 is the right coilover for the C7 owner who wants one system to do everything: set an exact ride height, corner-balance the car, and independently tune rebound and compression for both street comfort and track body control. It is especially compelling for Z06, Grand Sport, and ZR1 owners running Magnetic Ride, because the included cancellation unit is the cleanest way to move off the factory magnetic dampers without a dash full of warnings. If you autocross, do track days, or simply want the most capable handling setup a C7 can wear, the $5,094 V3 is money well spent.
It is overkill for a daily-driven Stingray that just needs to sit a little lower and turn in a bit sharper. That owner is better served by a $252 aFe PFADT lowering spring set, a $764-$897 adjustable sway bar upgrade, or the $1,099 aFe Control Johnny O’Connell monotube shocks — all of which keep the factory Magnetic Ride intact. Our rule of thumb at the shop: if you are chasing lap times or a fully custom stance, buy the KW V3; if you want a sharper street car on a budget, start with bars and springs and add coilovers later.
Corner-balancing the C7 after install distributes weight evenly for the most consistent handling.
A complete KW V3 kit: four struts, springs, hardware, and the electronic damping cancellation unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the KW V3 work with Corvette C7 Magnetic Ride Control?
Yes. The KW V3 kit for the C7 (part number 35261025) includes an electronic damping cancellation unit that deactivates GM’s Magnetic Selective Ride Control without triggering fault codes. KW is the only manufacturer that offers a factory-integrated solution to shut down the serial magnetic damper regulation cleanly, which is why it is the preferred coilover for Z06, Grand Sport, ZR1, and Z51 owners.
How much does the KW V3 coilover kit for the C7 Corvette lower the car?
The KW V3 lowers a C7 Corvette 10-35 mm (0.4-1.4 in) in front and 15-45 mm (0.6-1.8 in) in the rear. Ride height is set on threaded strut housings, so the drop is continuously adjustable within that range rather than fixed like a lowering spring.
What is the difference between KW V1, V2, and V3 coilovers?
KW V1 coilovers offer height adjustment with fixed damping, V2 adds adjustable rebound damping, and the V3 adds independent low-speed compression damping on top of rebound. The V3 is the only one of the three that lets you tune ride comfort (rebound) and handling dynamics (compression) separately, using KW’s patented TVR-A and TVC-A valve technology.
Does the KW V3 fit the C7 Corvette Z06, Grand Sport, and ZR1?
Yes. This KW V3 kit fits all 2014-2019 Corvette C7 trims — Stingray, Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1 — and the Magnetic Ride version (35261025) is specifically intended for cars equipped with Magnetic Selective Ride Control, which is standard on the Z06, Grand Sport, and ZR1.
Is the KW V3 coilover kit worth it over sway bars for a C7?
It depends on your goal. A $5,094 KW V3 replaces the Corvette’s leaf springs and dampers for full four-corner control of ride height and damping, while a $764-$897 adjustable sway bar set only reduces body roll and keeps the factory suspension. Choose the KW V3 if you want an adjustable stance, corner-balancing, and independent damping; choose sway bars if you want a sharper car on a budget and plan to keep Magnetic Ride.
Do KW V3 coilovers require an alignment after installation?
Yes. Any suspension that changes ride height — including the KW V3 — alters camber and toe, so a professional alignment is required afterward. We also recommend corner-balancing the C7 once the ride height is set so weight is distributed evenly across all four wheels for the most consistent handling.
Ready to Transform Your C7’s Handling?
Shop the KW V3 and the full range of Corvette C7 coilovers and suspension at NLP Performance.
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