Adjustable sway bar endlinks and steel braided brake lines installed

[Loren]

Brian, lengthening or shortening your end links is not going to affect the handling of the car. Adjustable end links serve two purposes. One is to properly position the ends of the bar for clearance to avoid the clunking that you noted. (usually only required when the ride height of the car has been changed significantly) The other is to remove preload from the bar, with the suspension settled, there should be no tension on the bar. (if there is tension or preload on the bar, the bar will be more effective turning in one direction vs. the other)

Replacing rubber end link bushings with poly or with heim joints like you have will improve steering response, but changing the length of the end links will not.

If you really are feeling more stiffness, it's probably due to the bar hitting the frame or the lower control arm (which would jive with the clunking), not a good thing.