Upon fine tuning the layout I realized that my 4 ball was a slightly greater cut angle than the original as well.Not many players would attempt shape on the short side of that 5 anyway, with the original setup or JC's setup. So...no, I don't think it's a drastic difference at all. In fact, having the 5 closer to the rail makes it easier to get shape without getting upside down.
Short side is a risky option in either setup, that's why I said it doesn't change the shot. You either load the cb up with straight draw like Corey did, or you load it up with top right (outside) and come 2 rails back up table, or you drill it with a ton of top left (inside) and come one rail back up table and hope you don't scratch. All three are tough options from that distance.
So by moving the donut hole just one donut hole diameter to the left for a slightly straighter shot the entire thing gets easier. Now straight follow brings you reliably to the short side and the same inside that brought you to the short side before bring you to the long side. Just that tiny adjustment.
And you're also correct about moving the 5 toward the rail completely removed that dead zone of no shape below it on both sides of the end rail. Making the shape zone effectively larger substantially.
Making those tiny adjustments makes the entire proposition much easier in every way. Except the way Cory did it of course.