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Chevrolet Corvette C4, C7 and C8 Coilovers

This page covers Chevrolet Corvette C4, C7 and C8 coilovers. These are three very different cars, and the newest has the engine in the middle. Each has only a few kits. BC Racing makes kits for the C4 and C7. KW makes kits for the C7 and C8, with one for cars with Magnetic Ride and one for cars without. The C5 and C6 have pages of their own.

Not sure if your car has Magnetic Ride? Call 1-800-460-9106.

Red Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 lowered on coilovers at a coastal highway overlook at sunset
The composite leaf spring
Three Corvettes

Animated illustration. It shows where coilovers sit on a car, not your exact kit. Depending on the car and the kit, coilovers can lean forward or back or stand straight up, and some cars use a separate spring and shock in the rear. Your ride height depends on the kit and how it is set up.

C4, C7 or C8

What to know first: generation, shocks and springs

We carry seven kits for these three cars. Three questions lead you to the right one.

Generation

The C4 is 1984 to 1996, the C7 is 2014 to 2019, and the C8 kits are listed for 2020 to 2023.

Magnetic Ride

On the C7 and C8, KW sells one kit for cars with Magnetic Ride and one for cars without it.

Factory leaf springs

The C4 came with composite leaf springs, front and rear. Both KW C7 kits say they include leaf spring removal.

BC Racing coilovers for the C4 and C7

Two BC kits, no C8 kit

BC Racing lists only the following series for the Chevrolet Corvette C4, C7 and C8: BR, DS, ER and ZX. The C4 kit comes in BR and DS. The C7 RWD kit also comes in ER and ZX. BC does not make a kit for the mid-engine car. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US.

See all BC Racing coilovers Jump to the 2014 to 2019 cars

The four BC series and which car gets each

The C7 kit has the wider BC choice.

BR and DS

BC Racing BR coilovers have one knob with 30 clicks that sets compression and rebound together. DS has the same knob plus a digressive piston for firmer body control. Both come on both BC Corvette kits.

ER, C7 only

ER has an upright shock with a separate oil reservoir. Compression and rebound each get 30 clicks, set on their own.

ZX, C7 only

BC describes ZX as its "most track-tested" series.

Want Swift Springs on a BC Corvette kit? Order through the Custom Build for BC Coilovers page.

KW and Swift for the later cars

KW is the only brand we carry with C8 coilovers. Call 1-800-460-9106 to match one.

KW

KW makes four kits: two for the C7 and two for the C8 Stingray, with or without Magnetic Ride.

Swift Springs

Swift makes a Sport Spec-R spring set for the 2020 to 2023 C8. It is springs only, not a full coilover kit.

C4 refresh, C7 track day or a C8 daily driver

C4 refresh

We carry one C4 Corvette coilover kit.

Kit to look at: BC C4 in BR or DS
C7 track day

ER adjusts compression and rebound separately; ZX is BC's "most track-tested."

Kits to look at: BC C7 RWD in ER or ZX, or the KW C7 kit for your Magnetic Ride setup
C8 Stingray

Check for Magnetic Ride and the factory front lift first.

Kits to look at: KW C8 with or without Magnetic Ride, both named "without OE Noselift"

All seven Corvette kits, newest car first

The kits are grouped by generation. Each card shows a shortened kit name.

C8 Stingray, the mid-engine Corvette

Code: C8
Good to know: BC does not make a kit for this car. Both KW kits name only the Stingray, so call us about other C8 models. KW sells two kits, with or without Magnetic Ride, and both say "without OE Noselift." Call us if your car has the factory front lift. The Magnetic Ride kit includes a cancellation kit. Swift makes a Sport Spec-R spring set.

C7, the last front-engine Stingray

Code: C7
BC Racing coilover kit for the 2014 to 2019 Chevrolet Corvette C7
BC Racing kitThe BC Racing coilover kit listed for the 2014 to 2019 Chevrolet Corvette C7. Photo: BC Racing.
Good to know: BC's RWD kit comes in BR, DS, ER and ZX. KW has one kit for cars with Magnetic Ride Control and one for cars without, and both say "incl. leaf spring removal." The Magnetic Ride KW kit includes an EDC unit. None of the C7 Corvette coilovers name the Z06, Grand Sport or ZR1, so call us first if you have one.

Three Corvettes compared

Corvette Years What decides the kit BC Racing series
C8 Stingray 2020 to 2023 Magnetic Ride (KW); both KW kits say without OE Noselift No BC kit
C7 2014 to 2019 Magnetic Ride Control (KW) BR, DS, ER, ZX
C4 1984 to 1996 BC only BR, DS

Before you buy: what Corvette C4, C7 and C8 owners run into

Here is what Corvette C4, C7 and C8 owners run into most, from owner forums, recalls and service bulletins, and what it means for your coilovers.

Very stiff ride on early C4s
C4, especially 1984 to 1987

GM bulletin 84-223 acknowledged the 1984 Z51 suspension rode harshly and suggested lower tire pressures. CorvetteForum owners say early C4s were stiff from the factory, and 20 year old shocks or sagging springs make it worse. Many owners shopping for C4 Corvette coilovers want a better ride, so damping and spring rates matter more than drop.

Before you install: Check ride height and the old shocks, tell us your year and whether it is a Z51, and start with soft damping and street tire pressures.

Front splitter scraping when lowered
C7, 2014 to 2019

C7 owners on CorvetteForum report the front splitter scraping steep driveway entries once the car is lowered, and some raised the car back up. Owners cross dips and driveways at an angle to protect the splitter. The C7 front end has little room to give, so a big drop trades daily usability for looks.

Before you install: Measure splitter clearance before and after you set height, lower the front in small steps, and check your own driveway before the final alignment.

The Corvette story

How the Corvette changed over these three generations

Corvette Report dates the C4's press debut to "November 30, December 1, 1982."

  1. 1975
    McLellanDave McLellan "took over as Corvette's chief engineer," and the car "was overdue for a redesign."
  2. C4
    Leaf springs"The C4 suspension used composite leaf springs on the front and rear suspension."
  3. 2019
    C8Chevrolet's release, carried by Motor1, called it "the brand's first-ever production mid-engine Corvette."
  4. Front lift
    40 mmThe C8's lift "raises ground clearance by approximately 40mm at the front bumper in 2.8 seconds."

Both KW C8 kits say "without OE Noselift," so call us if your car has the factory front lift.

Magnetic Ride, leaf springs and the C8

Does BC make Corvette C8 coilovers?

No, not one that we carry. For the C8 we carry KW, plus a Swift spring set.

My C7 has Magnetic Ride Control. What fits?

KW sells a C7 kit for cars with Magnetic Ride Control, and it says it includes an EDC unit. BC's C7 kit does not mention Magnetic Ride, so call us.

Do these kits replace the leaf springs?

Both KW C7 kits say "incl. leaf spring removal." Ask us how the BC C4 and C7 kits handle the factory springs on your car.

What does "without OE Noselift" mean on the KW C8 kits?

It is in both KW C8 kit names. OE means factory; Noselift is the front lift. Call us if your C8 has it.

Where are the C5 and C6 kits?

Each has its own page. Links are at the bottom of this page.

What warranty do BC Corvette kits carry?

BC Racing North America currently lists a two-year limited warranty on full kit orders, subject to its warranty terms. KW and Swift set their own.

The other Corvette pages

Coilover Kits by CarEvery car page. Does Your Car Have Adaptive Dampers? Keep Them, Cancel Them or Replace ThemKeep, cancel or replace the electronic dampers on your Corvette C4. Comfort and Stance on a Daily Driver: Setting Up Coilovers for BothA comfortable drop on a Corvette C4 you drive every day. How to Set Ride Height on CoiloversMeasure and set the drop on your Corvette C4. After You Lower It: Alignment Timing, Driver-Assist Calibration and Headlight AimAlignment, driver-assist and headlight checks once the Corvette C4 is lower. Chevrolet Corvette C51997 to 2004. Chevrolet Corvette C62005 to 2013. Chevrolet CamaroChevy's other V8 coupe. How to install coiloversBefore the car goes on stands. BC Racing for ChevroletBC's Chevrolet kits.
Call us with your C4, C7 or C8 year and shock type

We take calls Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

Call 1-800-460-9106