In my eyes the LA is a dead end due to lack of decent blocks that will hold any significant power. This leaves one small block option and that is the G3 Hemi. This is where I'm headed. I've liquidated all of my LA stuff except for one last 340 build-out and glad to do it too.
Stock 5.7 heads (ported)are superior to ANY LA head except maybe the very best executed W2 and even then. Every set of early 5.7's Ive mildly worked flowed 300 @ .600" thru a 2.02". What is even for astounding is the 265-270 CFM @ .400". There simply is not another 2 valve OEM production head that can match them. If I were going to market a head it wouldn't be an LA for serious power. It would be a low cost EQ style Magnum variant in aluminum- stud rockers and all. If that head existed Edelbrock would have some stuff competition. J.Rob