Why?

:sign3:
The block is not a redesigned LA shortblock !! it's completely different .
Deep skirted block , cross bolted mains , crank driven oil pump , raised cam , enclosed valley , onepiece rear main seal , they are much nicer to work on than the old stuff . most of the gaskets are re-usable . Hands up .. Who likes scraping old Gaskets Off ! .

Correct - the important aspects ( excluding rod/stroke ratio) are completely different

Yep....about as close to an LA as an LS is.......