My experience with the static port plate issue is one of "direction". If the holes are pointing forward, or into an area where they receive incoming air that varies with airspeed or attitude, or rpm, then the problems presented themselves.
Had one engine, can't remember the brand/size, that had the plate facing the rear and not too far from the firewall, but far enough that air didn't dam up at the firewall, varying pressure.

That ONE configuration ran the same regardless of cowl on/off, on ground, in air, etc.

ALL of my other carb configurations, where that pressure port is exposed to inflow or dam-ed up air presented the problems for sure.