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!!

Stangs are nice. I really like the Mach 1.

Do not worry about the ECBMs. Rarely a problem and replacements are not and will not be hard to find v

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.

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.

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.

Since you plan on tracking the car, it's likely you wouldn't be using the TC or active handling anyway.

I could stick with the mustang but handling is not good. I could upgrade but it would cost a bunch. or I can just upgrade to a better platform like the vette.

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.

The EBCM's are available for the 2001 and up and they are also repairable at a reasonable cost. Although you may never have a problem with the 2000 and older , try to find a 2001 or newer and not worry about it.

He doesn't repair 97-2000 units.

Not everything can be fixed. 2000 and older cars are SOL right now and ABSFixer can't fix certain codes on 2001+ cars if I remember correctly. Could be wrong though.

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.

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.

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

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.

:iagree:

GO for it - - this weekend . . .NOW !

:thumbs:

CQRT

you are not helping!!! lol

:crazy:

Yes he is, now get out there and find your new car:toetap:

Don't listen to these guys that tell you to buy a 2000 or earlier . They will be doing this :hide: 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.

I have never given the EBCM a second thought in my 98, not even once.