My 1st ride of the year, I started with my shock settings at 0, and it was super soft and comfortable. However, I was dipping my splitter into the road on certain turns. Also, on hard braking, the rear end was lifting up. Under hard acceleration the rear end was hopping like a pogo stick.
Every ride, I turned them up one click (rebound only). When I got to 4, and went for a ride, it handled great. No dipping the splitter, and the rear end stays more level under hard braking. I rode out to a RC airport near me, got out, and upped the setting to 5. The parking lot was gravel, and when I was pulling out, I could tell right away that I didn't like it. The ride home was rougher, and I had hood rattles and such. But, I did take a really twisty road, and it handled awesome.
My shocks are only rebound adjustable. I see my shocks as a way to help control body movement, and in turn keep the wheels in contact with the ground.
I started out the same way and can tell you the sway bar change helped more than stiffening the shocks and you can back off the shocks to your desired settings.