i took the ignition module back to murray's and they tested it again - it was always good.
turns out the ignition module was not grounding to the plate on which it's screwed on. there was lots of oxide and some dirt on both the ignition module back and the ground plate behind it (i think it's also a heat spreader). i used sand paper to clean and then put petroleum jelly on the bottom to avoid new oxide forming. also put petroleum jelly on the low voltage and high voltage connectors of the coils. the car started rightaway.
however now that the car is running i don't think my initial issue - idle stalling - is fixed. haven't had it yet but it would be too good to be true - that the ignition module was not getting proper ground and thats why it would cut off and not supply the computer with spark reference...
still planning to do a EGR valve cleanup and a vacuum check. never done either so wish me luck...
as usually any input is appreciated on what to test next - but i'm assuming that either ppl don't care about this thread anymore or those who know the car stuff are all on vacation or too busy to check the forum.