Firebox placement

I'm in the process of building my second smoker. The first was a "bandera" type. This one is more of a traditional offset. The first one did ok, but I didn't like how flames would "lick" up into the firebox. So, like a normal Que'r I began to form ideas of what might work for my next smoker. This "next smoker" will be like the one in my profile pic. (Unfortunately, we can't get hold of the guys we built the one in my profile pic for)

I was debating on spacing the firebox about 6" away from the smoke chamber. I've since decided to use baffle plates inside the smoke chamber. Now onto my actual question.... In anyone's experience, If I'm using the plates in the smoke chamber, is it necessary to move the fire box away from the smoke chamber? Or would this dissipate too much heat?

Ahhhh, yet another option.

Keep "tuning" plates in also? Or would they not be necessary then?

That was the issue with the first one we built. Firebox is proportioned correctly on the new one, so it sounds like I should be good to go. Thanks for the input. It's much appreciated