Do you think those "special" plugs,like the U-groove,Splitfire,etc.,is worth the extra money-or just bunch of hype?

Bsides my '78 L82 and '69 L71, I have a "Brand X" '67 Dodge Charger, 383 4-spd., and tried a set of Splitfire spark plugs in that. It didn't take more than a few months before the insulators on two cracked. I don't know the reason why (maybe the heat from the headers), but I changed to OE plugs after that, and no more problems.

Just from that experience, I don't see the point in paying extra for the fancy plugs. My opinion is leave the race plugs to the racers and those with extra $ burning holes in their pockets. Besides, the fancy plugs still won't fire if the rest of the ignition system isn't up to par.

When it came time to change the plugs in my '70 (while doing other engine work), I deferred to my father-in-law who was helping me out and is a mechanic. He recommended OE replacement A/C Delco plugs over any of the fancy ones and thats what went in.

I run AC Delco rapidfire plugs in mine. No problems what so ever. I figure that if all these fancy style plugs were so great, then the auto manufactures would use them instead. Right? That's my .02 cents
Sarge

Thoughout the years different " novelty/race" plugs have come and gone with various electrodes, the juice will always take the path of least resistance I've played with all kinds of plugs in a rather nasty HP Volkswagen trike and in the end the best were the plan old cheapies,

Other thing I notice is when a company tests like the split fire plugs they us the whole "kit" better wires super coil etc, that's were the powers coming from not the forked tongued plug, I would like to see dyno results on an engine where all they changed was just the plugs, I believe if a person sees a boost and all they do is switch to new plugs of any kind something was wrong with your old plugs,
Two splits = 8 AC's not a value in my opinion.
Just food for thought,
Cheers, T.