Fram Tough Guard 3387A CUT OPEN [PICS]

[gregk24]

I did an oil change on the 2005 Chevy Uplander 3.5 today. It had 3000+ miles on the Quaker State Ultimate Durability 5w30 and Fram Tough Guard that came off. It required a little over 1 quart of top off oil during that time, I used the remainder of the Quaker State Ultimate Durability and then bought a quart of Quaker State Advanced Durability 10w30 to keep the oil at the full mark on the dipstick. Now I know people will criticize this short OCI, but this is a short tripper. Work is less than 1 mile away and it gets at least 4 of these 1 mile trips daily. As I already mentioned it uses at least a quart over a 3000 mile OCI so I just go ahead and change it out instead of buying more and more oil to top it off with. So out with the old and in with the new. I used Castrol Edge FST Extended Performance 10w30 that I got on sale for $15 at Walmart, along with a Fram Ultra oil filter. Plan on running this filter for 2 OCI's. Also planning on using a high mileage oil next time, oil seems to be leaking from somewhere, but not enough to make drips on the ground yet. Anyway here are the pics I promised.

Fram TG 3387A

ADBV was very pliable

Pleats were sturdy and spaced evenly overall...

Except for here...
This is something to note, the last TG I cut open (this model number) had no metal crimp. Nice to see one on this filter though. Pleats are spread out here, but again the pleats are sturdy as well as the endcaps.

Sturdy end caps

Not much particulate deep in the pleats, that was nice to see (or not see)

Overall, another great product from Fram. Only reason I chose the Ultra was so I can run it for 2 OCI's with the confidence that it will hold up. The reason I want to go for 2 OCI's with 1 filter is to avoid the hot burning oil dripping down my arm due to the location of the filter =P

 

[actionstan]

Looks good, and like it coulda went further. These are good filters, I definately made a good choice switching my Saturn from the tearolators to the tough guard.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: actionstan
Looks good, and like it coulda went further. These are good filters, I definately made a good choice switching my Saturn from the tearolators to the tough guard.


I agree it could have gone further, but I didn't want to run the TG for 2 OCI's that's why I switched to the Ultra.

 

[901Memphis]

If you switch to the Ultra 3980 you can run it 3 oci

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
If you switch to the Ultra 3980 you can run it 3 oci


Why is that? I "could" run this one for 5 3K oci's, but I choose not too.

 

[KCJeep]

Looks good, Tough Guards usually do, no secret on here they are one of my favorites. Wide spacing at the seam is not unique to Puro or Fram, but the Fram media seems to take the stress quite well.

As always, thanks for cutting and posting!

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
Looks good, Tough Guards usually do, no secret on here they are one of my favorites. Wide spacing at the seam is not unique to Puro or Fram, but the Fram media seems to take the stress quite well.

As always, thanks for cutting and posting!


Thanks KC, yes they are great filters no doubt! And I agree, the Fram media seems to be more robust than the Purolators *Pure Oil Later* haha.

 

[901Memphis]

The 3980 has more media so higher capacity for contamination.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
The 3980 has more media so higher capacity for contamination.


And it fits ALL of the GM 3.5's?

 

[901Memphis]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
The 3980 has more media so higher capacity for contamination.


And it fits ALL of the GM 3.5's?



It fits the same applications as the 3387A but it's physically longer so you have to make sure there is enough room for the filter to not hit anything. In some situations a longer filter makes it easier to grip when installing or uninstalling. I'm not familiar with your filter location to know if it will work but as long as it doesn't hang down too low or come near suspension parts you should be good.

 

[David1]

Could of went 7000 Miles on that filter.. Well it looks like it did its job.

Stange how the MIGHTY fall.. I rememeber when Purolator were very well respected and FRAMs where a stay away oil filter.... Now I remember seeing pics with FRAMs XG and TG that were in real bad shape afte the OCI... even the endcaps.

Perhaps FRAM changed somthing????

b/c there filters are starting to or at least seem to be looking better and better

My dad gets mad when I talk about Oil filters... he says.. its a OIL FILTER.. you use it for 3K miles or 4k miles then throw it away and put a new one on... Why are you cutting them open... I put them in zip lock bags after I get as much of the oil out of them.

and compared , NAPA SILVER and HONDA A02 and Boesh and Fram EG and Fram TG and Fram Ultra and Purolator Plus.....

He thinks Im crazy.....

LOL.

I tell him its very interesting....

 

[901Memphis]

I don't ever remember a XG that was in bad shape, except the ecotech cartridge that had one tiny hole. But the ecotech demolishes all filters.

 

[KCJeep]

I've used the 3980's on all my Chevy's as well (still have one) like he said as long as you have the room it'll work great on anything that calls for the 3387 series.

Even the orange cans in the PH3980's I've cut looked very good. For whatever reason it's one of the orange cans that gets more pleats, usually around 39 give or take, plus over an inch of extra media over the 3387.

 

[zoinks]

Originally Posted By: actionstan
Looks good, and like it coulda went further. These are good filters, I definately made a good choice switching my Saturn from the tearolators to the tough guard.


You can see how much dirt it's holding?