With resistors in series, you simply add the resistance (ohm) values. Req (equivalent resistance)= R1+R2
So no, it doesn't matter if the resistor has a higher ohm value than the coil...the ignition "sees" it as the sum of the two.
Parallel resistors have a more complicated method...
Req=
1
-----
(1/R1)+(1/R2)
Quick electrical lesson....ohm's law
V=iR
Voltage= i(current in amps)*R(resistance in ohms)
Voltage is a difference in electrical potential. If the R value goes up, the voltage does also, which at first doesn't make sense, but remember, voltage is a measure of difference. A higher resistance absorbs more energy, resulting in a bigger drop across it. Voltage is the potential to do work, where current actually does it. It's why a 110v wall outlet can/will kill you, but a 1M volt stun gun is essentially harmless. The wall outlet probably has 15 amps behind it, while the stun gun has only thousandths of an amp.
Move the equation around....i=V/R
If your resistance is too low (R is too small) and V doesn't change(say 14v), it means i goes up. More current, which in turn will fry your Dyna box.