PCV Setups?

Heya, so I'm trying to figure out what's the optimal PCV setup for this engine. I've read through damon's bye-bye blow by article but would like to know what everyone else is running. I've asked someone else previously and they actually run this:

Which for them they say it works but when I give it a shot, definitely doesn't for me. Had some smoke out the exhaust which partly was water, and other part was oil. Accidentally left the catch can open (without the can) and car actually ran normally with no smoke; so I'm thinking about investing into using a VTA catch can using these same lines. But I'd like your input.

I previously had ran this setup:

However found my valve cover gasket leaking after a month of use. Granted it was a FEL-PRO valve cover gasket and not oem, but I don't think it leaking was entirely the fault of the gasket and I feel it's due to too much pressure? During that time when it was leaking, it would mostly do so under boost.

My current plan is to use the setup in the first image, but to hollow out the pcv valve on the plate, then use a VTA catch can. But I'd like to hear a few opinions on what may be best.

Car is a Gen1 Speed3
Current mods:
2.5 Swap
Forged Pistons
Upgraded Timing Chain
Balance Shaft Delete
Mishimoto Catch can
Corksport Cold Air Intake
Upgraded High Pressure Fuel Pump Internals
Spin on Oil Filter

(I bought this car this way, and these modifications were not done by me)

 

In the end, running this instead with a cheap VTA catch can.

Lots of hoses everywhere but certainly works for me. Getting an in-line check valve for the VTA filter, will be running it through a short hose. I'm still looking for some cleaner way to make the air filter a check valve by finding some threaded check valve but cannot find anything.