USP hydraulic clutch line installed,thanks you guys!!!

[Thomas@TAI-VW]

I have 12,500 miles on my 2012 S4 I bought new in 2012,and one reason for the low miles is I really did not enjoy driving this car as much as I should have,one reason was because I thought this is the WORST feeling clutch I have ever driven in a stock car. The engagement point was very vague and seemed to randomly change depending on how fast I was shifting,etc. '
After reading about USP's clutch line/damper eliminator,I bought it and it sat in my office for about a month bvefore i decided to put it in,2.5 hours later my car is TRANSFORMED. The clutch is still springy because it is a DMFW after all,but I can actually "feel" and modulate the clutch engagement. All the VAG cars have this dampener,but for some reason it feels like shit on the S4. If you are on the fence,get this little line. It IS a PITA to install,I have a lift and a fully equipped shop and it took me 2.5 hours. The biggest hassle was getting the stock line out, I just cut that mofo in 1/2,and getting the ECU box out enough to access everything,but it was well worth it. I want to thank all the guys on here that posted about it and made me aware this was available. MAHALO!![:)]

[hyetiko]

I agree I didn't enjoy driving the car hard when I first bought it my16. But after some research I bought the line went for a test drive after installing it and what a difference!!! No more delay when doing fast shifts!


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[Victor Newman]

You guys are selling me on this. Feels like a marshmallow ended up in there somewhere

[mmm def]

Might have my shop do this when I go stage2.

[SportVier]

Fo reelz? Or are you just rationalizing all that work you put into the install? [:D]

If fo reelz, when I do a fluid flush sounds like this should be an add on.

FWIW, I think there are 3 legs on this milking stool of shifting lameness:

1. Clutch line: the "safety damper" mechanism

2. SA Pressure Plate: based on my experience with a B7, I think this is really the source of the moving engagement point.

3. DMFW: my take is that this is really over-villified in terms of engagement feel. It's heavy, no doubt.

My extremely scientific estimate is the breakdown of negative impact on clutch engagement is something like:




Feel
Movement


Line Damper
50%
40%


SA PP
30%
60%


DMFW
20%
0%

[Evan2]

Any helpful tips? I really want this but finding time to do installs is tough and not near many shops and I am partial to doing things myself. I really find the clutch to be one of my least favorite items, my z06 was notchy as hell with short shifter but it felt far better.

[Thurston]

gosh I'm going to have to do this - is the installation pretty much fool proof or it it a major b*tch? I am assuming this primarily is felt between the god awful and painfully slow 1st and 2nd shift?

[MrFunk]

I'm still on the fence... I agree the clutch feel could be improved. What are the down sides to this upgrade if any?

[SteveYem]

I'm still on the fence... I agree the clutch feel could be improved. What are the down sides to this upgrade if any?

From all the reviews I have read, the only downside is that the modification is not reversible due to the stock line having to be cut in order to extract it from its location. I think one person disconnected the stock line and left it in there, bouncing around I imagine, which I do not think is an ideal solution.
A downside for me is that I do not feel confident doing this install myself, and I really like to avoid having to pay shops to do aftermarket mod whenever possible.

[Thurston]

From all the reviews I have read, the only downside is that the modification is not reversible due to the stock line having to be cut in order to extract it from its location. I think one person disconnected the stock line and left it in there, bouncing around I imagine, which I do not think is an ideal solution.
A downside for me is that I do not feel confident doing this install myself, and I really like to avoid having to pay shops to do aftermarket mod whenever possible.

that's where I'm at - I don't feel comfortable doing any kind of clutch work with out having the process explained to me like I am five years old. I don't particularly want to pay a shop until I'm ready to upgrade my clutch but at that point is it even necessary with an aftermarket stage w/e clutch?

[Evan2]

It is not really what I would consider "clutch" work, it is changing a line and re bleeding it just like you would with brakes. If the pedal still feels squishy you have air in the line, you keep working it until you get the pressure you want. It is easier with two people but I did it back in the day by myself gravity fed....made a mess but such is life.

[hyetiko]

From all the reviews I have read, the only downside is that the modification is not reversible due to the stock line having to be cut in order to extract it from its location. I think one person disconnected the stock line and left it in there, bouncing around I imagine, which I do not think is an ideal solution.
A downside for me is that I do not feel confident doing this install myself, and I really like to avoid having to pay shops to do aftermarket mod whenever possible.

I left my stock line in place been driving around for couple months without any problems. Where are you located in Pa could put the line in for you!

[B8Addict]

How hard is this to DIY? I don't have a lift but I'm pretty decent at doing work myself and one of my good friends who is a mechanic would be helping.

[youS4]

Where did the DIY thread go? I can't find it anymore [confused]

[SteveYem]

I left my stock line in place been driving around for couple months without any problems. Where are you located in Pa could put the line in for you!

Woah for how much time I spend on this forum, I can't believe I missed your reply. I'm in Phoenixville so not too far from Newtown Sq. at all. I was thinking about paying a shop to do the install, but I would actually be curious to see yours first to determine whether it's something I want to do in the first place. I'll PM you..