The AWE Drive Train Stabilizer is a machined-aluminum part which replaces the original piece which runs from beneath the driver's seat, under the exhaust and transmission, to beneath the passenger's seat.  It is much thicker than the original piece, and fastens to pre-existing holes in the transmission housing.  This product is designed to increase shifting response by reducing movement in the drive train...hence the name.

After school (teaching) yesterday, I came home and put my car up on jack stands, and crawled under with the AWE illustrated instructions and my tools in hand. The directions are pretty clearly written, and the pictures are snapshots of an A4 underbody, which helped a lot as far as finding the things I needed to find.

Removal of the original piece was incredibly easy...just undo six bolts and don't let it hit you in the face.

I had assembled the DTS on my kitchen table before going under the car, so I'd have an idea of what I'd be doing under there. I took it back apart so I could install it.

I installed the mounting bracket to the transmission, and then the stabilizer bar. At this point, I realized that I would be unable to tighten two of the nuts which needed tightening, so I had to undo the six stabilizer bolts and swing it out of the way while I tightened the two loose bolts. I had left them loose because I thought that I would need to adjust them later...after I'd had the bar installed, I knew where they needed to be, so I tightened them and finished the installation.

Some thoughts on being comfortable with working on my car:

I read the instructions really carefully before I tried ANYthing.

I made sure that I had the right tools for the job, which included a torque wrench (not a cheap one, either), some hex-bit drivers in metric sizes, and socket drivers (which I already had). I also bought a rolling jack and two jack stands. In all, I probably spent another $200 dollars getting equipment to make sure that I'd feel safe crawling under a heavy object, and having the right tools for the job.

The Driving Experience:

As soon as I'd washed grease from my hands and changed clothes, I headed to my friend's house for a cigar. I took 86th street west across the top of Indianapolis, to try stop-and-go city driving.  I noticed that lugging at low rpms was smoother, like when I coasted away from a stoplight behind a slow truck.

Second gear seemed to kick in more quickly with the boost. This may have been because it was cooler outside, or maybe I just wanted to think that my car was moving more quickly.

Third gear engaged crisply and acceleration felt like it was being applied more directly...or something.

Fourth and fifth gear seemed more responsive, as well.

Downshifting felt MUCH more precise.

I had noticed previously that if I had my hand on the shift knob and pushed gas, and then let off gas, the knob would float forward and backward. It hardly does that at all, now.
I drove home on the interstate...just a few miles from the Michigan Street exit to the Keystone Avenue exit. The car transmitted a bit more road noise, it seemed to me. There is a slight added vibration on acceleration from a stop as well as at speed.

There is a slight added drivetrain noise and vibration. This gives a more solid feel...not like the vibrating plastic mystery piece, but like you are bolted directly to POWER.

DAY TWO

I've had the stabilizer installed since Monday night. I'm starting to really appreciate the added rigidity in the shifting.

I had a couple of chances to run up through the gears, winding out to around 5500 rpm, and the difference with the DTS is phenomenal. The car snaps into the next gear with a crisp engagement that feels wonderful. Downshifting feels MUCH better, as well. The car FEELS faster. I know that this is probably due to the firmer response in the drive train, but I like it. I like it a lot.

I am a satisfied customer, and I recommend this item to those who have not tried one.

A brief note to those who are unsure about safety: I installed this aftermarket device by strictly following printed instructions with proper tools. The piece fits exactly into the place where the OEM bar came from, and uses the exact same bolts used for the OEM bar.
This morning, I felt comfortable enough with my modification to strap my two daughters in the back and drive them to daycare. If anything, my car feels more solid than before.

Some final thoughts:  I am a math teacher, not an automotive professional.  While I am not an idiot, I recognize that there are people much better prepared to work on cars than I.  I took precautions to be very safe when performing this modification to my vehicle.  I strongly suggest that you (dear reader) do likewise.  Have fun, and safe driving!