The upgraded plates don't hurt anything, just leave them loose. The nut that hold the plate on should torque against the nut on the strut hat, and not put pressure on the top plate when tight. It sounds like yours are just how you want them.

-Philip Maynard '95 Contour [71 STS | Track Whore] '97 Miata [71 ES | Boulevard Pimp] 2006 autocross results