Info on FBO ecu unit

You certainly will be getting less spark energy out of the 8202, compared to an E core coil. You should use the 8207 [ or equivalent ] because it is an E core coil. E core coils cost more to make & there is a reason that car makers use them........
The heat in the spark [ the current ] is what ignites the mixture; the 8202 produces 140mA; the 8207 produces 300mA.
The 8202 is probably staying cool because the adaptive dwell of the HEI is working: dwell [ current on time & therefore coil heating ] is reduced at lower rpms.
See below why the E core is superior.

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