MagneRide bypass resistor guide for cars
For Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro, and SS, Cadillac ATS, CTS, XTS, DTS, STS, XLR, and SRX, and Buick Lucerne and LaCrosse.
Written by M&P USA, the veteran-owned company that designs, builds, and supports these kits in the USA.
A MagneRide bypass resistor kit lets you replace the factory magnetic ride shocks and struts on a GM car with coilovers or standard shocks, without the “Service Suspension System” warning or the 80 mph speed limit. This guide shows which of our two car kits fits your model, the connector quirks to know before ordering, and how the install works.
The short answer
- 2013 and newer cars (Camaro, Corvette C7, Chevrolet SS, Cadillac ATS, CTS, XTS) take the 2013-2018 MagneRide bypass resistor kit. The 2012 Camaro ZL1 takes it too.
- 1997-2012 cars (Corvette C5 and C6, Cadillac CTS, DTS, STS, XLR, SRX, Buick Lucerne and LaCrosse) take the 1997-2012 MagneRide bypass resistor kit.
- One kit covers one axle. All four corners take two kits.
- Cars at stock ride height don’t need ride height simulators. Trucks and SUVs always do, so these car kits are not for them.
Which MagneRide bypass resistor kit fits your car
| Your car | Kit | Price per axle |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 and newer, plus the 2012 Camaro ZL1 | 2013-2018 MagneRide bypass resistor kit | $54.99 |
| 1997-2012 (except the 2012 Camaro ZL1) | 1997-2012 MagneRide bypass resistor kit | $42.99 |
Before you buy parts, enter your VIN in the NHTSA recall lookup to check for open safety recalls; recall repairs are free at a dealer.
The split is the connector. GM moved to a new shock connector for 2013, and the 2012 Camaro ZL1 was the first model to use it.
Truck or SUV? These car kits are not enough. GM trucks and SUVs also monitor ride height sensors and need ride height simulators, so use a complete kit: Z55 (2005-2012), Z95 (2015-2020), or 2021-2023. Using a car kit alone on a truck or SUV is not a proper long-term fix.
Fitment by model
2013-2018 strut bypass kit
| Years | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| 2013-2019 | Cadillac ATS |
| 2014-2019 | Cadillac CTS |
| 2013-2019 | Cadillac XTS |
| 2012-2020 | Chevrolet Camaro SS, Z28, ZL1 |
| 2014-2019 | Chevrolet Corvette C7 |
| 2014-2017 | Chevrolet SS Sedan |
1997-2012 strut bypass kit
| Years | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| 2006-2011 | Buick Lucerne (CXS) |
| 2010-2012 | Buick LaCrosse |
| 2005-2012 | Cadillac CTS, CTS-V |
| 2006-2011 | Cadillac DTS |
| 2004-2009 | Cadillac SRX |
| 2003-2011 | Cadillac STS, Seville |
| 2004-2009 | Cadillac XLR, XLR-V |
| 1997-2004 | Chevrolet Corvette C5 |
| 2005-2013 | Chevrolet Corvette C6 |
Buick fitment on newer models varies by year. Send us your year, make, and model and we’ll confirm the kit.
Signs your shocks are failing
- “Service Suspension System” or “Shocks Inoperative” on the dash
- A top speed limit around 80 mph after a shock fault
- A harsh, bouncy, or floaty ride, or more body lean in turns
- An oily film on a shock or strut body, which means the seal is leaking
- Warnings right after installing coilovers or standard shocks
How the plug-in bypass works
The suspension module checks the electrical circuit at each shock or strut. Unplug a factory MagneRide shock and it sees an open circuit, stores a fault, and turns on the warning, often with the speed limit.
Our shock simulators plug into those factory connectors and give the module the electrical load it expects, so no fault is set. They use sealed, weatherproof OEM-style connectors with an O-ring seal, not crimped wires that corrode over time. Nothing gets programmed and nothing plugs into your OBD port.
Cars at stock ride height only need the shock simulators. If your car is lowered or raised outside the factory range, some models also need ride height simulators, so contact us first.
“I removed my mag ride shocks and installed a QA1 coilover kit, plugged these modules in and tied them up nicely. Car has no service suspension lights and no more leaky shocks that cannot be replaced.”
Customer review on our website, 2013-2018 strut bypass kit
Connector notes before you order
C6 Corvette and Cadillac XLR rear
On many C6 Corvettes and XLRs, the front plugs right in, but the rear factory plug won’t seat until you remove the small plastic tab in the center of the simulator’s connector. Snip or break off that one tab, and the rear plug clicks in and works normally.
Buick LaCrosse and early Cadillac Seville
These use a different connector. Our universal adapter set is spliced onto the factory wires so the 1997-2012 kit plugs in.
Cadillac XTS and SRX
Some XTS models use a slightly different connector, and some SRX models monitor ride height like an SUV and also need ride height simulators. Contact us before ordering either one.
What to order
2013-2018 strut bypass kit
$54.99
2 shock simulators for one axle. For 2013 and newer cars and the 2012 Camaro ZL1. Rated 4.9 by 16 customers.
1997-2012 strut bypass kit
$42.99
2 shock simulators for one axle. For 1997-2012 Corvette, Cadillac, and Buick cars. Rated 4.9 by 47 customers.
| Your plan | Order this |
|---|---|
| Front or rear only | One kit for your car’s years |
| All four corners | Two kits for your car’s years |
| LaCrosse or early Seville | The 1997-2012 kit plus the universal adapter set |
Installation in four steps
- Check the connector. With the car off and safely raised, compare the factory shock connector to the one on our simulator. If it looks different, contact us before installing.
- Plug in the simulators. Install your new shocks or coilovers, then plug a shock simulator into each factory shock or strut connector until it clicks.
- Secure everything. Zip-tie the simulators to a metal surface, away from the exhaust and other heat, and not against plastic wire loom.
- Clear the codes. With the wheels on the ground, clear the codes (scan tool, up to 40 ignition cycles, or the battery off for 30 minutes). A Ride Height Trim with a scan tool is recommended where equipped.
Every kit ships with printed instructions, and US-based support is a message away. We recommend installation by a certified technician.
Frequently asked questions
Which kit fits my 2013 or newer car?
The 2013-2018 strut bypass kit. It fits 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS and XTS, 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS, 2012-2020 Camaro SS, Z28, and ZL1, 2014-2019 Corvette C7, and 2014-2017 Chevrolet SS Sedan.
Which kit fits my 1997-2012 car?
The 1997-2012 strut bypass kit. It fits the Corvette C5 and C6, Cadillac CTS, CTS-V, DTS, STS, Seville, XLR, and SRX, and Buick Lucerne and LaCrosse. The 2012 Camaro ZL1 is the exception and uses the 2013-2018 kit.
Do cars need ride height simulators?
Not at stock ride height. If your car is lowered or raised outside the factory range, some models need them, so contact us first.
Will it remove the 80 mph speed limit?
Yes. Once the simulators are installed and the codes clear, there is no stored fault to trigger the limit.
Can I run coilovers or standard shocks?
Yes. That is what the kits are for. Customers run coilovers and standard shocks such as Bilstein and QA1 on Corvettes, Camaros, Cadillacs, and Buicks.
Do I need to modify the rear connector on my C6 Corvette or XLR?
On many of them, yes: remove the small plastic tab in the center of the simulator’s connector, and the rear plug clicks in.
Can I use a car kit on my truck or SUV?
No. Trucks and SUVs also monitor ride height sensors and need the complete Z55, Z95, or 2021-2023 kit with ride height simulators.
What do I need for a Corvette MagneRide delete?
For a C5 or C6 Corvette, the 1997-2012 strut bypass kit (on many C6 cars, remove the small center tab on the simulator’s connector for the rear). For a C7 Corvette, the 2013-2018 strut bypass kit. One kit per axle, so all four corners take two kits.
Do I need one kit or two?
One kit covers one axle. All four corners take two kits.
What warranty comes with it?
A lifetime warranty on every part, from a veteran-owned business that makes the kits in the USA.
Still not sure which kit fits?
Enter your year, make, and model in our Find My Kit tool, or send us your VIN and a real person will confirm the right kit before you order.
MagneRide® is a registered trademark of BWI Group. Other names are used only to identify compatible vehicles. M&P USA is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by BWI Group or General Motors. Prices shown are approximate.