I would call them both bolt-ons every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

well everyone has different opinions on what a 'bolt on' is......

my point is that a shift kit and a stall are not so easy to install like a catback or headers. you have to pull the tranny out to change the TC. thats why i dont' consider it a bolt on. But hey, everyone has their opinions.

 

My point is that a torque converter can be installed in far less time then it takes to install LT headers and you don't have to crack open the engine. Yes you have to remove the transmission but it's not that complicated. Most Header installs take anywhere from 6-12 hours in a persons driveway. Torque converter can be done in 3-4 hours.

It's not just my opinion either. In almost every thread I have ever read on torque converters they are referred to as a bolt-on. It's not just my opinion, It's also the popular opinion.

Shift kit on the other hand might be more debateable. But that isn't even 100% needed. You can get away with some tuning to firm up the soft shifts high stalls can cause. Just deleting TM, raising shiftpoints and an ever so slight raise on line preasure usually does the trick.