Difference in auto and 5 speed tranny dust plate

[Brandon240sx]

Does anyone know what exactly the difference is between the auto tranny dust plate and the 5 speed?? What would make the auto one not work with the 5 speed? Could I rig something up to cover the little opening?? I don’t want to risk having a rock or something shoot up in there. People say run it without. I’d rather have something there just to protect the tranny. I live in ny and if road conditions and weather were better here, I’d have no problem running it without. Don’t want to take any chances though. Finding a new one is impossible, finding a used one is very hard, so I’m trying to figure out what my alternative would be/what I could rig up to work. Maybe make a plate out of a piece of sheet metal?? Somehow make the auto one work with the 5 speed tranny?? Any help will be appreciated. Save the “just run it without” posts. I know I can run it without and most likely won’t have a choice but to do that, but I am trying to feel out all of my options before the tranny goes in my s13