Thinking about C5 but....EBCM concerns
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 292
Likes: 3
Thinking about C5 but....EBCM concerns
Currently driving a Mach 1 mustang but looking for a better track car. I do HPDE 3-4x per year. It seems it pretty common that the EBCM is a eventual problem. As I understand you can only get replacements for 2001 and higher from what I see here. I am sure they will discontinue later years as well.
I am wondering is it worth it to buy a C5?
I recently looked at a very nice 2000 and was going to pick it up this weekend but now am scared off. My mustang is pretty bulletproof.
Opinions welcome.....rather required cause I have vette fever!!
I am wondering is it worth it to buy a C5?
I recently looked at a very nice 2000 and was going to pick it up this weekend but now am scared off. My mustang is pretty bulletproof.
Opinions welcome.....rather required cause I have vette fever!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 756
Likes: 5
From: Griffin Ga.
I guess I understand your concerns, but whats to say something will never happen to any car you own. You have to enjoy life and if a corvette helps, then go for it and don't anticipate problems that might never happen. If a real concern, go with a 2001 or later model. Oh yea, you can still find parts with out too much problem. Just may cost a little more for the discontinued ones.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh North Carolina
It's not the end of the world if it goes out. Who knows, maybe someone will find a way to repair them or a major parts vendor will see the need and begin production (not really going to hold my breath). Either way, ABS and TCS are overrated. People got along just fine without them for many, many years. If mine ever decides to **** the bed, I'm just going to re-plumb the brakes, ditch the module, and if possible, have the codes tuned out.
Last edited by DooDooBear1999; Apr 26, 2013 at 10:26 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
Keep your Mustang and your sanity. We Corvette owners obsess over everything and if your worried before you even own one you would probably have to start therapy soon after your purchase, especially if warnings started popping up on your DIC.
99 FRC, no issues in 2 years of ownership.
99 FRC, no issues in 2 years of ownership.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
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From: Taylorsville North Carolina
The EBCM is $150 lifetime fix from absfixer so I would not let that stop me. For tracking, you will never regret the vette. I do the SVT/Cobra track day at VIR once a year. They have tons of cool stuff going on for the Mustangs, but they let other types of cars do the track day parts. You can hurt a lot of KB 700rwhp owners feelings on a road course.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Currently driving a Mach 1 mustang but looking for a better track car. I do HPDE 3-4x per year. It seems it pretty common that the EBCM is a eventual problem. As I understand you can only get replacements for 2001 and higher from what I see here. I am sure they will discontinue later years as well.
I am wondering is it worth it to buy a C5?
I recently looked at a very nice 2000 and was going to pick it up this weekend but now am scared off. My mustang is pretty bulletproof.
Opinions welcome.....rather required cause I have vette fever!!
I am wondering is it worth it to buy a C5?
I recently looked at a very nice 2000 and was going to pick it up this weekend but now am scared off. My mustang is pretty bulletproof.
Opinions welcome.....rather required cause I have vette fever!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
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The EBCM is $150 lifetime fix from absfixer so I would not let that stop me. For tracking, you will never regret the vette. I do the SVT/Cobra track day at VIR once a year. They have tons of cool stuff going on for the Mustangs, but they let other types of cars do the track day parts. You can hurt a lot of KB 700rwhp owners feelings on a road course.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh North Carolina
The EBCM is $150 lifetime fix from absfixer so I would not let that stop me. For tracking, you will never regret the vette. I do the SVT/Cobra track day at VIR once a year. They have tons of cool stuff going on for the Mustangs, but they let other types of cars do the track day parts. You can hurt a lot of KB 700rwhp owners feelings on a road course.
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If you are specifically worried about the EBCM, the solution is to get an '01 or newer C5 as they can currently be repaired. But not every car has problems and the C5 is really a pretty reliable platform and would do well for what you have planned. There are a lot of good deals out there, especially on the earlier C5s so don't let the EBCM issue deter you from a purchase if you find a really nice car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
EBCM failures are in no way strictly a Corvette C5 problem. These modules can and probably will eventually fail on all models of cars. Please keep in mind that the manufacturers of these modules make them for a multitude of vehicles. So, if you want to be sure that you never have an EBCM failure, then try to buy a car with no ABS/ Traction Control. While you're at it, get one without fuel injection, electronic ignition, etc. ECU's are also known to eventually fail.
PS: Guess what? I have a 2010 Mustang as my DD and my EBCM failed when I reached 10K miles. Luckily it was a warrantied item but I know for a fact it will fail again.
PS: Guess what? I have a 2010 Mustang as my DD and my EBCM failed when I reached 10K miles. Luckily it was a warrantied item but I know for a fact it will fail again.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
buy an 01+ it's not just the ebcm. things like the climate control are also unavailable for the early cars. while it's true you can junkyard source a lot of this stuff there were a number of improvements in 2001, one of which was an improved stability system. it's not just the ebcm. whole system was modernized and improved
book price between 2000 and 2001 is literally a few hundred dollars. isn't even worth it unless you find a REALLY nice early car someone will sell you at clean trade
book price between 2000 and 2001 is literally a few hundred dollars. isn't even worth it unless you find a REALLY nice early car someone will sell you at clean trade
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Buy any model that you like and is in good shape from 97-04. The 01+ hype with MOST people (not all) is all bandwagon, they're both almost identical cars. I have a 99 FRC with 100,000 miles on it and it hasn't had any module fail yet (knock on wood) or really anything else to be honest. My 2000 ws6 ran and operated just fine too. The ls6 intake is really the main difference between the two. I'm not here to start a 97-00 vs. 01-04 war, but the way problems are worded for the 97-00 cars makes them sound like piles that are just waiting to constantly break.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
If you are specifically worried about the EBCM, the solution is to get an '01 or newer C5 as they can currently be repaired. But not every car has problems and the C5 is really a pretty reliable platform and would do well for what you have planned. There are a lot of good deals out there, especially on the earlier C5s so don't let the EBCM issue deter you from a purchase if you find a really nice car.
GO for it - - this weekend . . .NOW !
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Don't listen to these guys that tell you to buy a 2000 or earlier . They will be doing this 
when you have problems and won't be offering any help or money . The earlier models may look the same but if you have a choice it's just smart to stay away from them.
when you have problems and won't be offering any help or money . The earlier models may look the same but if you have a choice it's just smart to stay away from them.
