True, OS has kept production of the early style needle assemblies, but, for how long is always the question. OS (or Great Planes) "discontinued" the FP series 4 or 5 times, and, even now that they are once again back, we already got a flyer saying the engines were on "closeout". This time I would expect we have seen the last of the FP engines, and I would suspect the same will shortly be true of the front needle assemblies.
As to my feelings on the LA, they haven't changed. The engine has the same bore, stroke, timing of the FP. So they should run the same. But how long is always the question. Reports from the field are not encouraging. If you can get rid of the plastic back plate and fragile needle, part of the problem is solved. OS seems to have cleared up their plating problem that began somewhere with the beginnings of the LA series of engines. New liners are now shiny all over once again instead of being streaked and spotted. That solves another problem. But, I still don't like the extra weight, the extremely thin liner, the four bolts, the cast crankshaft, The soft case that is prone to stripping out. But, as long as you can keep it together, it will run well.