Planning to take my bone stock 2002 1.8TQ Tip from non-sport to oem sport.

Called the dealership to get a price for OEM sport shocks springs, sways and bumpstops, and they told me that "there are other 'things' involved, you can't just bolt on the sport parts."

Are they full of it, or was I dealing with a stupid tech?

You can take the springs, shocks, sway bars, and bumpstops right off a sports package and put 'em on your car.

I wouldn't suggest buying these items new from the parts dept though, besides paying through the nose for the parts, the shocks won't have any warranty.