EBCM Questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 846
Likes: 105
From: Knoxville TN
EBCM Questions
Shopping around for a manual C5 whether that's an FRC or Z or possibly the right targa car.. I see a lot of posts about the EBCM issues and I see that 97-00 is one unit and can't be repaired, while the 01-04 is a different unit and most likely can be repaired. But I don't see anyone talking about how the car acts after it has went bad, which leads to my question..
So, if/when the EBCM goes out, does it limit/cripple the car or are the lights just turned on in the instrument cluster? Can you still drive the car normally (without traction/stablility control) or does it try to randomly apply brake, etc?
Thanks!
So, if/when the EBCM goes out, does it limit/cripple the car or are the lights just turned on in the instrument cluster? Can you still drive the car normally (without traction/stablility control) or does it try to randomly apply brake, etc?
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,859
Likes: 4,658
The '01-'04 EBTCM can be repaired TO AN EXTENT! But not all problems that arise can be fixed. Still better than the '97-'00 models, which supposedly cannot have anything repaired. Realize that just because you have a later model doesn't equate to a 100% repairable unit. It would be sad to bypass a gem of a '99 car to buy a newer model '01, only to have the unit fail and be non-repairable. Im sure this has happened to someone.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 356
From: Northville, MI
A couple months back I was at an autocross when I tried to give it 110$ on a turn and wiped out my rear ABS wire at the wheel. I still was fastest in the group in 5 of 6 runs that weekend. When outcrossing I always turn off the Traction Control and keep the ABS on. Other than a few lockups getting used to running without ABS, it did not affect me hardly at all.
Last edited by Gordy M; Nov 23, 2025 at 08:47 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 66
Likes: 15
As I understand it, the EBCM can have a failure that does not turn on any lights and can bias the brakes heavily to the front. I was having a problem on track with front wheels locking up with almost no deceleration. I decided to drive with this condition and work around it. Had two lockups in the wrong spot and crashed. I then learned that this is a known EBCM issue, and I could just pull the ABS and TCM fuses and drive without either. This fixed the problem, but now have no ABS or TCM which is more challenging than driving with. FWIW.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 719
As I understand it, the EBCM can have a failure that does not turn on any lights and can bias the brakes heavily to the front. I was having a problem on track with front wheels locking up with almost no deceleration. I decided to drive with this condition and work around it. Had two lockups in the wrong spot and crashed. I then learned that this is a known EBCM issue, and I could just pull the ABS and TCM fuses and drive without either. This fixed the problem, but now have no ABS or TCM which is more challenging than driving with. FWIW.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 461
There are aftermarket options, none of them are inexpensive per-say. You can DIY it, but a kit is out there
Here is a good start, since some users have gotten sarcastic with me about this suggestion: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/fo.../248099/page1/
Here is a good start, since some users have gotten sarcastic with me about this suggestion: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/fo.../248099/page1/
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
There are aftermarket options, none of them are inexpensive per-say. You can DIY it, but a kit is out there
Here is a good start, since some users have gotten sarcastic with me about this suggestion: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/fo.../248099/page1/
Here is a good start, since some users have gotten sarcastic with me about this suggestion: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/fo.../248099/page1/
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tandalone.html
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 1,097
From: Ex DPRK, now just N of Medford, OR
There are aftermarket options, none of them are inexpensive per-say. You can DIY it, but a kit is out there
Here is a good start, since some users have gotten sarcastic with me about this suggestion: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/fo.../248099/page1/
Here is a good start, since some users have gotten sarcastic with me about this suggestion: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/fo.../248099/page1/
I've done extensive reading on the subject... In the middle of a MK60e5 install right now on the 944 race car.
Not originally ABS equipped, so it's not a small project for me, but on a C5 it seems like a no-brainer!
Used BMW E5 ABS units are all over ebay. I paid $65... it cost more because it had the harness plug with it.
Some functions are user-programmable with readily available backdoor software and an OBDII cable.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 1,097
From: Ex DPRK, now just N of Medford, OR
The preferred BMW ABS had been the original MK60, out of the e46 M3. Some versions can be programmed with race parameters... not sure which versions are capable of what.
Being in high demand, they're all freakin' expensive. Figure a min of $600, and on up from there.
The newer option is the MK60 E5, common to later (06 and up?) BMW models. $50 all day long... supposedly with better performance too.
AFAIK, the basic parameters can be reset. Not sure about any of the performance settings, but we'll see!
For a Corvette application, I'd be tempted to just try the E90 series M3 programming as-is. Pretty much identical weight distribution... C5 is lighter by ~600lbs.
Same weight distribution for the 944, so I'll use that as a starting point.
