Do it the easy way first:
1) No 51 with the AC off and throttle closed.
2) 51 with the AC off and throttle cracked.
3) 51 with the AC on and throttle closed.
Anything else, do what you suggested. Clutch activation without idle up is usually caused by a bad AC amplifier. Course there could be a wiring problem in that area too.
Fwiw AC idle up is not as simple as other idle ups in that for AC the ECU advances timing in order to "get a jump" on idle speed. It's why turning the AC on causes an immediate increase in idle, before it drops. If it was just a matter of manipulating the ISCV it would drop first the way it does with headlights and defog operation. Bet ya didn't know that did ya?