Good morning, I'm new to the corvette world, and did a lot of research. Looking to spend in the $10,000 range and was told that the C5 is far better than the C4. From what I saw is that the C5 from years 1997-2000 has a EBCM problem which cannot be fixed. I will be using the car as a weekend driver, so it can drive with a EBCM problem. I know you would lose your ABS and traction control. The question I have besides the EBCM problem are the 1997-2000 the same as the 2001-2004, thanks so much for your input

 

Depending on you location your state may require a safety inspection and may fail your vehicle for having fault codes of this nature.

 

The following has been posted a couple of times in the Forum (I'm just dropping in the changes for the base model in 2001):
2001
* Return to 28# injectors for all models.
* Second Generation Active Handling
* Nassau Blue discontinued
* Alternator 'clutch' pulley added on A4 cars
* New soundproofing + foam in all cars
* Smaller keyfob
* Electrochromic dimming rearview and driver's mirrors
* Lighter AGM battery
* Thickness + Material in Convertible change
* Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + Convertible
* 85MM MAF with integral temp sensor (versus 74mm with separate plug for IAT)
* LS1 cam profile changed to: .500/0.500, 198/208 on 115.5LSA (From: 0.472/0.479, 202/210 on 117)
* All Corvettes now have the LS6 intake manifold
* All Corvettes now have the LS6 engine block (windage passages in block), which includes a beefier oil pump.
* LS1 changes result in new output of 350 HP @ 5200 RPM and 375 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM (MN6)
* Hardtop/FRC discontinued
* Stronger synchros in all transmissions
* Exhaust manifolds revised (5hp regained) - thin wall cast replacing SS manifolds
* Metal valvestem caps (late year)
* Torque Tube changed from metal-matrix composite to aluminum alloy 6061, increased in diameter from 55 to 63 mm.
* Driveshaft couplings have also been upgraded on manual-equipped models for additional strength and durability

 

I have had a 1988 C 4 and it was terrible, sold it and got a 2000 conv M6. Like night and day difference all the way around. Had it for 3 years and no ECBM issues at all but do have the gas guage issue But the power and ride are 100% better and much nicer looking. Good luck though trying to find a nice one at that price.

 

Hint...
Hang out here for some knowledge time before you purchase a C5!... Get familiar. 🤨

 

this comes up more and more often these days. The EBCM issue is WAY overblown.
The issue is that *if* the circuitry in the ebcm goes (and it rarely does), GM between 97 and 2000 weatherproofed the board by dipping it in epoxy. AFTER the '00 year, they no longer did this -- some say that the '01 model year and later is more prone to failure than '00 and earlier because of the lack of expoy (I've seen no evidence for this, but people argue it) -- It's just that in *some* circumstances -- not all -- the '01 and newer can be fixed, the '00 and earlier must be repalced. It's nigh impossible to take the epoxy off without damaging the board. To date, no one I know of has done it. If this ever happens though, you have two, very viable options: 1) replace the board (they are expensive, around $1,500 last I saw, and you're getting used ) or 2) covert to a '01 + ebcm, there is a sticky on the front page of this forum on how to do that.

But again, the EBCM is an issue that is WAAAYY overblown. I would not let that disuade you from buying a '97-00.

THAT SAID -- especialyl with the c5, I would recommend getting the latest year you can afford. they made a lot of minor refreshes and improvements in the '01 model year, listed in this thread :Which year c5 to get - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

At $10,000 though, you're going to have to be open to options. either a higher-milage, later model c5, or a older model. If you can find a '97-00 that is exactly what you want, in the price that you want, and you have it inspected and it's in decent condition, don't shy away from it because of the over-blown EBCM issue. But , all other things being equal, if you had a '01 or later that meets everything you want, is in your price, I'd go with the '01 and later, to me, becuase of the litany of minor improvements they made in the '01 year. Not becuase of the EBCM "issue".

 

Nicely put.

 

This is not about claimed failures or not.

The price you want to pay means a car with higher miles. With more miles in a 20 plus year old car it is about managing the costs of failures. Anyone can buy a cheap Corvette but affording the up keep can be a killer. In cases if you can’t do the work even more impossible.

As a car ages and the more miles failures are going to happen.

To reduce the chance look for a car that is in good condition and records to show the up keep on what was done.

No matter how much an ECBM goes out understand the cost. Just as much as the cost of a slave cylinder, clutch replacment or even hvac controls or harmonic balancer.

If you can find a car with the brake system that was flushed properly or a new clutch and slave cylinder, good Roof condition if it is a convertible. Tires age, fuel gauge is it working or oil pressure sensor not damp with oil, new balance, These are things to look for.

Also you may be ok driving with dash lights on. Will you be ok trying to sell with lights in. Not always easy or bedt yo get top dollar back.

Owning a Corvette can be a great experience but like many other cars can you afford it worse case? Too many buy a sports car because they can afford it but later can’t afford to maintain it. C5 Corvettes are more affordable but still understand the costs.

There is the cost of ownership vs purchase price. You have to live with both.

 

Buy the best condition C5 you can possibly afford. More important than model year. If you're on a strict budget, fixing up a bunch of issues is a non starter.

Good luck

 

The 2000.was the only year for the 0.500 lift, the 01-04 went back to the 0.479 lift cam with different duration and LSA

 

exactly.

 

Is that 0.500 lift a pro or con. I have a 2000
thanks

 

Good. Comparable to a Z06 cam.

 

I have a '97 first year C5. No major issues!!! Don't be scared about getting an early C5. Only a very small percentage has had the EBCM issue. They are a sweet old vette. And still turn heads!

 

Wise advice. Just an FYI - the ‘01+ cars had a lot of upgrades over the earlier cars.

 

It was a higher lift because of the pup cats added that year, If your state didn't require the Cali restrictions the pup cats were eliminated and the PCM was programmed to yield 345HP. Either way a good tuner can give you higher HP and torque and cut you 1/4 mile time by about a 0.10 seconds. With a cam and headers even more.

 

Thanks for this! Your correction had me searching for more info, and I found an old post by @Corvette#2:

"For future reference these numbers are correct:

'97-'99 LS1 .479/.472 lift, 207/199 duration, 117 LSA
'00 LS1 .500/.500 lift, 209/198 duration, 115.5 LSA
'01-04 LS1 .479/.467 lift, 207/196 duration, 116 LSA
'01 LS6 .525/.525 lift, 211/204 duration, 116 LSA
'02-04 LS6 .551/.555 lift, 218/204 duration, 117.5 LSA"

The 2001-2004 boost in torque to 375 lbs-ft and HP to 350 must then have been primarily the result of the change to the LS6 intake manifold and new exhaust manifold.

 

FWIW, I had a 1999 with 100k miles and I had zero issues with the EBCM, in fact it wasn't until my 2003 that I had to have mine rebuilt by ABSFixer.

The EBCM integrates with traction/ABS, if it was that big of an issue, there would have been a recall.

 

Just wanted to chime in as a 2000 owner. (6 speed ragtop)
No EBCM issues with 75K. I've owned the car for five years and it has been nearly bulletproof in all aspects.

 

There are at least two places that repair the early c5 EBCM. One is Automotivemodules.com
The later model ones are different.