Why Run the KW V3 Clubsport Kit on Your Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X

Why Run the KW V3 Clubsport Kit on Your Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X

 

Why Run the KW V3 Clubsport Kit on Your Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X

The Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X is one of those cars that feels special right out of the box. Aggressive styling, turbocharged punch, and the legendary Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system make it a cult favorite for anyone who values raw performance. But as any EVO owner quickly learns, the stock suspension setup leaves some untapped potential on the table.

If you’re serious about chasing lap times, dominating HPDE events, or simply sharpening your car’s street manners, the biggest gains won’t come from another bolt-on or exhaust upgrade—they’ll come from suspension. That’s where the KW V3 Clubsport Kit enters the conversation.

Engineered and fine-tuned on the Nürburgring Nordschleife—the most brutal suspension proving ground in the world—KW Clubsport coilovers are designed for drivers who want repeatable performance and precision handling under real motorsport conditions. Whether you’re dialing in corner weights for a time attack build or daily driving with weekend track days, this kit is built to keep up.


What Makes the KW Clubsport Special

KW didn’t design the Clubsport kit to simply lower your EVO X for looks. It’s built as a motorsport-grade coilover system for cars that see real performance driving. Here’s what sets it apart:

Built for Performance Tires

The Clubsport kit is tuned specifically for DOT-R compounds, slicks, and R-compound tires. These tires generate far more grip than street rubber, which means your suspension needs to be matched to take advantage of that grip without upsetting balance. KW engineered the damping curves with these tires in mind, ensuring that the EVO X can handle high lateral G-forces while maintaining stability.

Track-Tested, Street-Ready

Not everyone can run a dedicated race car. The KW Clubsport kit is designed to balance dual-duty demands—giving you precise, adjustable suspension for track days while maintaining enough compliance to drive on real-world streets. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for control, but you can stiffen things up when it’s time to get serious.

Independent Adjustment

The real magic is in KW’s patented TVR-A (Twin Valve Rebound Adjustable) and TVC-A (Twin Valve Compression Adjustable) technology. With separate adjustability for rebound and compression, you can fine-tune:

  • Rebound: How quickly the suspension returns after being compressed. Adjusting this affects body control, stability, and steering feel.

  • Compression: How much resistance the suspension offers when being compressed. Adjusting this affects grip, weight transfer, and bump absorption.

This means you can dial your EVO X for different scenarios—more rebound for stability on a high-speed circuit, or more compression to manage weight transfer in tight technical sections.

INOX-LINE Construction

Cheap coilovers fail where it matters most: durability. KW’s INOX-LINE stainless steel construction ensures the coilovers resist corrosion, rust, and seizing even after exposure to rain, salt, or grime. You won’t be stuck with frozen collars after one season of winter driving.

Height Adjustable

With continuously adjustable ride height, you can lower your EVO X for center-of-gravity gains while maintaining suspension travel. More importantly, you can fine-tune corner weights—balancing the car so each tire does its share of the work. This is the level of detail that separates a quick lap from a fast, consistent car.


Why Use Coilovers Instead of Springs or Shocks?

Many EVO X owners start with lowering springs, thinking they’ll get sharper handling and a better stance. But once you start pushing the car, the limitations become obvious. Here’s why coilovers are the smarter play:

Control

Lowering springs simply drop the ride height—they don’t give you control over damping. Coilovers let you adjust both ride height and stiffness to suit your driving style, road conditions, or track surface.

Balance

Springs don’t allow corner-weighting. Coilovers do. Properly corner-weighting your car reduces understeer/oversteer tendencies and gives you predictable grip across all four tires.

Durability

A coilover system is designed as a matched kit. Springs paired with stock shocks often wear the dampers prematurely, leading to a bouncy, inconsistent ride. With coilovers, the components are engineered to work together.

Confidence

At the limit, consistency is everything. With coilovers, you can return to the same track, use the same settings, and expect the same behavior. Springs and off-the-shelf shocks can’t offer that kind of repeatability.


Why KW is the Gold Standard

Plenty of coilover brands exist—some cheaper, some flashier—but KW has earned its reputation by dominating both motorsports and enthusiast markets. Here’s why they’re trusted worldwide:

Proven on Track

From time attack builds to endurance racing cars, KW suspension is everywhere serious drivers compete. Their kits aren’t just marketed for racing—they’re proven under real conditions.

Real Valve Tech

Many budget coilovers advertise “adjustability,” but it’s often just a crude stiff-to-soft range. KW’s TVR-A and TVC-A valves provide useful, precise adjustments across the whole range. Every click changes something you can feel.

German Engineering

KW’s products are designed, tested, and manufactured in Germany—one of the toughest regulatory and engineering environments in the world. Their focus on quality control ensures every set delivers consistent results.

Longevity

The INOX-LINE stainless construction means your coilovers will last season after season. You won’t be pulling them off after a year to free up seized collars or deal with rusted housings.


Why It Matters on the EVO X

The EVO X is already a potent platform, but without proper suspension, you’ll never fully unlock what the chassis is capable of. Here’s how the KW Clubsport kit transforms it:

  • Earlier Power Application: Put down throttle sooner on corner exit without upsetting balance.

  • Higher Cornering Speeds: Carry more speed through technical sections while keeping grip predictable.

  • Weight Transfer Control: Keep the car stable under hard braking, fast transitions, and mid-corner bumps.

  • Adaptability: Fine-tune suspension for different tires, tracks, and setups—whether you’re on R-compounds or slicks.

With coilovers, the EVO X stops being just a fast car—it becomes a serious track weapon.


Common Questions About KW Clubsport Coilovers

Do I need a roll cage to run Clubsports?
Not at all. While these are motorsport-grade coilovers, they’re designed to work on street cars without requiring chassis reinforcement.

Can I daily drive on them?
Yes. Many owners run Clubsports daily. You may notice a firmer ride compared to stock or street coilovers, but the adjustability means you can soften things for comfort.

Do I need an alignment after install?
Absolutely. Any suspension swap requires a full alignment. If you’re serious about track use, consider a corner-balance alignment as well.

Are they rebuildable?
Yes. KW offers rebuild and revalve services, which means your Clubsports can last the life of the car.


Final Thoughts

If you’re chasing precision, adjustability, and repeatable performance, the KW V3 Clubsport Kit for the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X is the suspension upgrade that gets you there. It’s not about slamming the car for looks—it’s about control, confidence, and performance at the limit.

The EVO X already has the power and AWD system to be competitive. With the KW Clubsport kit, you’ll finally have the suspension to match.

👉 Ready to take your EVO X from quick to truly competitive? Order your KW Clubsport Kit from Select Speed Shop →

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