Just received a new Fastline stainless steel clutch line. It appears to be of very high quality. Also, the install instructions are very good.

http://www.fastlineperformance.com/clutchline.htm

Not sure how much effect it will have, but for $29 I am willing to take a risk. Of course, idiot that I am, I am now going to use this line as en excuse to buy $250 worth of Facom flare nut wrenches (4 flare nut wrenches are required for the install).

 

They sell a universal flare nut wrench at most stores... except they call it "Vise Grip"


[Modified by AssPenny, 3:14 PM 8/15/2002]

 

Not sure I'd like to use a vise grip on brake fittings, for example. It is only going to grab two sides of the fitting.

You are trying to ruin my rationaliztion for buying new tools.

 

...hehe.

Seriously, every toolbox should have at least a few flare nut wrenches. Just buy some Crafstman/Cobalt/Husky. They'll get the job done without breaking the bank. It's not like you'll use them every day, but the times you do need them you'll be glad you have them.

Let me know if you have any questions or problems with the install. It should go on with no probs.

- Slater

 

the clutch feel is different; a minimal improvement but an improvement none the less- and you hit the nail on the head man...

My thoughts exactly- in addition to performance it really cleans up the enigne bay.. gives it that ever sought after JDM performance look!! 29 bucks you can't really go wrong, how much was the Spoon one?? I was quoted 70+shipping IF they could find one and I would still have to MAKE it fit somehow, not worth it in my book.

to fastline!!!

later

matt

 

got a picture of this on a car??? how tough to put it on?

 

install is too easy man... pics are soon to come!!

later

matt

 

I just checked sears, homedepot and harborfreight websites. Nobody carries a 8mm flare nut wrench!! WTF is that?

Anyway sounds like a cool little tweak for the money.

 

The 8mm flare nut wrench is only needed for the stock slave cylinder bleed connection - a normal ring wrench wrench will go around this just fine since there is no hose in the way.

BTW, can anybody talk me out of buying these:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=FK290

I bought a set of Sears flare nut wrenches last night but they are next to useless in many applications IMHO because the head is fixed so, unless the inlet hose to a nut is of very small diameter in relation to the nut, there is no way to get the wrench in place.

For example, one of the stock clutch line nut is 10mm and the line itself is also about 10mm in diameter. A 10mm Sears flare nut wrench has only a 7mm opening - so it will not go around the hose and hence cannot be positioned around the nut.


[Modified by norice, 3:06 PM 8/16/2002]

 

yeah, you don't need or really even want to use a flare nut wrench for the bleeder screw- it is way easier to use a box end. Maybe Slater should change the directions around a bit to clear up the confusion

later

matt

 

...you're right - it was confusing. The bleeder does not require use of a flare nut wrench. I was thinking it was easier to put a FN wrench on and off while the drain tubing is on there, but it's unnecessary.

A standard 8mm end wrench will work just fine on the bleeder.

Should be clear now.

- Slater


[Modified by Slater, 8:27 PM 8/18/2002]

 

Pic's yet?

 

I would like to see some pics too

 

...installed pics will be posted up tomorrow or Thurs.

- Slater

 

that is one sexy wrench set

 

Griots stuff is nice

- Slater

 

Yup - but I have discovered that http://www.ultimategarage.com is cheaper. I got seven Facom ratcheting flare nut wrenches (7-12mm, 17mm) for $170, which is $100 cheaper than Griot's set. Shipping is also cheaper.

 

For the cheap bastards like myself that don't want to spend $170 on tools to install a $30 part, I wonder if autozone has loaner wrenches that would work for this install.......

 

my flare nut wrenches have ching chong china written all over them... really I don't use them very often so I did not invest a boat load in them. Just look around- any thing will work... if you are super pressed I am sure you can just use a regular end wrench (just be carful with it)

later

matt

 

> For the cheap bastards like myself that don't want to spend $170 on tools to install a $30 part, I wonder if autozone has loaner wrenches that would work for this install.......


Sears has a set of 4 flare nut wrenches in sizes that will work for this install (except the 8mm which is not necessary) for $24.

I use any excuse I can to buy new tools.


[Modified by norice, 11:36 AM 8/21/2002]

 

I would like to know if you notice a difference with this installed

please post a review once finished - thanks

 

Alright cool. I thought you meant earlier they wouldn't work??

 

Well - I now think they will in this situation because you can just cut or collapse the stock rubber line. Also the bolt on the SS line is 17mm, quite a bit larger than the 10mm diameter of the SS hose. However, if you could not cut or collapse the original rubber hose, the Sears flare nut wrenches would not be able to access the 10mm bolt because the line itself is about 10mm wide.

 

I felt a small but noticable difference with the line- my clutch seemd to be more precise... it is hard to explain. It seemed that the clutch pedal was much more sensitive to my input. You know when you drive a car everyday, you notice just the smallest difference?? it is like that. I would say well worth the 30 dollar price tag.

Plus it looks better then the stocker rubber line (on a 98, mine was starting to turn brownish and crack a bit)

later

matt

 

I still wanna see some pictures!