If you use Equations in Key-Parameters, they will be treated different from Equations in Non-Key-Parameters.
While Equations in non Key-Parameters will be evaluated when placing an instance of an Asset into a Layout, Equations of Key-Parameters will be overwritten with their last numeric value, that doesn't necessarily need to be the correct one.
This different behaviour does lead to confusion, as you would expect the same behaviour in both Key- and Non-Key-Parameter's Equations.
A workaround to modify the Key-Parameters through an iLogic rule works, but is slower than a direct modification through an equation.