Yes there is no question the test rig was failing the RX8 coils.

  They don't like an out in the open spark anywhere around them
  They continually re-trigger and the dwell becomes infinite.
  Then they soon over heat lickity split and fail permanently.

  I just got another 3 out of my RX8 and all were discolored.

  I am working on a heat sink solution for cheap RX8 coils
  if you don't want to use the MSD versions. Either will work
  on the heat sink. A small 1 inch square 12 volt fan
  is optional on the heat sink.

  The waste spark is problematic on the trailing coils
  of a rotary but will work on the leading coils. The 2nd gen
  RX7 engine was waste spark on the leading coils. I have not
  bothered to test the Ford stuff as I must be sure it is
  a long term solution and not based on obsolete parts if
  possible. The coil on plug seems to be the long term
  solution for the future.

  Paul Lamar

 All this time and work to find a solution to cool a defectively designed
 coils; plus projecting that all coils have a cooling issue when it seems
 to my simple mind; using the D580 coil which has had none of those
 problems (at least that I've heard of) would solve it.

 Brian

 Well not yet. Remember the problem took 30,000 miles to show up
 in a car that averages only 3,000 RPM. The fact of the matter is
 the D580 was designed to fire half as often as we are asking it
 to do. It cost more to design something that is over kill by
 100%. There is no evidence the bean counters will let them get
 away with it. As I said, do the numbers and you will find
 the 580 is near full on current all the time. The RX8 coil
 was designed to fire twice as often as a rotor fires once
 per rev while a piston once every two revs.

 The primary resistance is .57 ohms. If the current is on all
 the time and E = I x R that is 21 amps. I don't know about
 you but that is a scary number to me. :) The power is
 E x I which is 252 watts. Next time you get a chance grab
 a 250 watt light bulb when it is on :) I am building heat sinks
 for mine.

 Paul Lamar



But remember the D580 has an iron core extending outside; a natural heat
sink is it not?

Brian

To a certain extent but not 250 watts worth.
The LS2 coil does not do that. It has a small heat sink
but remember it fires only half as often in a piston engine
then it is being called on to fire in a rotary.

Paul Lamar