GM revised the SBC 327 cast block for the LS series. The 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, and 6.0 are all of the new series. Nice engines, somewhat like the old series but improved, but still a pushrod engine. Reverse cooling is a great idea that works, cools the top first keeping the air charge cooler while heating the lower more for effecency. That's why they can run 10.5:1 on 87 octane.
Why couldn't Ford this? I thought Mazda became part of Ford, but it seems Ford turned to Mazda. Well, zoom zoom. Emmisions, the 4.6 isn't any better than any of the LS series GM's. Ford put all into the new '05 comming out, why didn't they do something besides adding a few valves and some vtec like system, it would have been easier to add a few cubes.