So the ride did get stiffer?? Yes side to side body roll is much better than the old shocks. But the old shocks where toast.
What do you mean by you gained 1" of clearance?? Did the ride height go up 1"?? Yes I gained 1" in ride height, but I think that was due mostly do to the old shocks. I have driven the car for three weeks and the ride height has stayed the same as when I first put them on.