Tasmin 2.8, 2+2
Discussion
This is my first post on the Forum, although I have been following other discussions with interest for a while.
I have a 2 plus 2 Tasmin, which I bought recently, I'm very pleased with it, and given its age it is in very good order. I have fixed a few small faults, and at this stage plan to keep it and hopefully generally improve it.
I'm happy with the car but now realise I should maybe have shyed away from the 2 plus 2. The rear seats serve no purpose whatsoever and the large cross mounted fuel tank takes up pretty well all of what could be a large amount of luggage space.
My question is: Is there an established way of converting to 2 seater? Has anyone junked the back seat and fuel tank and fitted a different, more space effecient installation? What's the best way to do it. Any photos of what they look like minus the tank, showing where an alternative tank could be positioned. What are the safety issues?
Thanks in anticipation, Dave
I have a 2 plus 2 Tasmin, which I bought recently, I'm very pleased with it, and given its age it is in very good order. I have fixed a few small faults, and at this stage plan to keep it and hopefully generally improve it.
I'm happy with the car but now realise I should maybe have shyed away from the 2 plus 2. The rear seats serve no purpose whatsoever and the large cross mounted fuel tank takes up pretty well all of what could be a large amount of luggage space.
My question is: Is there an established way of converting to 2 seater? Has anyone junked the back seat and fuel tank and fitted a different, more space effecient installation? What's the best way to do it. Any photos of what they look like minus the tank, showing where an alternative tank could be positioned. What are the safety issues?
Thanks in anticipation, Dave
I suppose it would be possible: the 2-seater has twin tanks, one each side of the chassis, under the floor behind the seats. So the boot floor is about a foot below the windows, if that makes sense.
You could probably get the tanks, link pipes etc from one of the Tasmin race cars, but you'd need to rework the shell to provide the filler(s) just behind the doors, rebuild the non-existant floor etc etc..
Main problem would be that given the rarity of the 2+2 (all of 47 built IIRC), do you really want to butcher it? Should you find someone who is keen for a Tasmin, they tend to prefer unchopped cars.
Why not just sell it as it is and buy a 2-seater? In fact, try a V8-engined car and you probably won't want to stick with the 2.8 anyway...
Ian
You could probably get the tanks, link pipes etc from one of the Tasmin race cars, but you'd need to rework the shell to provide the filler(s) just behind the doors, rebuild the non-existant floor etc etc..
Main problem would be that given the rarity of the 2+2 (all of 47 built IIRC), do you really want to butcher it? Should you find someone who is keen for a Tasmin, they tend to prefer unchopped cars.
Why not just sell it as it is and buy a 2-seater? In fact, try a V8-engined car and you probably won't want to stick with the 2.8 anyway...
Ian
Would agree that rather than trying to re-engineer it, you swap it! Or make do, sure you didn't buy it for its luggage capacity anyway 
dont do it!
As ean ex 2+2 er I plead for you to give it to a proper home! There are "family" people out there that cannot afford a cerbera and the 2+2 makes a great baby carrier.
Fit racing harnesses and away you go
I got loads of luggage in mine - whats wrong with two cases baby stuff and a pushchair ? You want more room?
Buy a 350 and rumble with the V8
The +2 280i has a different GRP lower tub moulding to the regular FHC. Both cars rely on this section of the GRP for structural fastening of the seats. You'd need to be seriosly good at GRP to retain enough structural strength to hold the seats in place if you modify the floor to be similar to the standard FHC.
You could I guess fit a roll cage and secure the seats to it - but it would be a serious amount of work, and a huge gamble - not to mention what the insurers would say if you had an accident.
I upgraded from a +2 280i FHC to a 350i FHC recently for this reason, and others. (As a bonus I get better fuel economy - and scarey acceleration !)
-Jim
You could I guess fit a roll cage and secure the seats to it - but it would be a serious amount of work, and a huge gamble - not to mention what the insurers would say if you had an accident.
I upgraded from a +2 280i FHC to a 350i FHC recently for this reason, and others. (As a bonus I get better fuel economy - and scarey acceleration !)
-Jim
It would be a good idea to keep it and try to swap later at some point (probably with money coming your way). I used to have a 2 seater - then got 2 kids - but the TVR bug had bitten and I couldn't afford a Cerb so the only option was to sell my 2.8 and get a +2.
Glad I did it because all my girls say VRROOOOOOOMMMMMM when ever they get in and you can pack just enough in the boot (especially if you lose the spare wheel). The +2 was about twice the price of my 2-seater (but to be fair it was also in better condition).
Wait a while and then maybe you can swap with a 350 fhc.
Glad I did it because all my girls say VRROOOOOOOMMMMMM when ever they get in and you can pack just enough in the boot (especially if you lose the spare wheel). The +2 was about twice the price of my 2-seater (but to be fair it was also in better condition).
Wait a while and then maybe you can swap with a 350 fhc.
Ok chaps, youv'e already persuaded me to leave it alone!
The more I drive the car, the more I like it (other than the lack of carrying space). Are these aerosol type emergency tyre inflators any good? I really could do with leaving the spare wheel in the garage but don't want to be stranded with a puncture. Any experiences?
And yes if anyone want to do a deal for my plus2 for a decent FHC of any size then let me know. It will have to be a decent example although I would be prepared to add a fair bit of cash.
Dave
The more I drive the car, the more I like it (other than the lack of carrying space). Are these aerosol type emergency tyre inflators any good? I really could do with leaving the spare wheel in the garage but don't want to be stranded with a puncture. Any experiences?
And yes if anyone want to do a deal for my plus2 for a decent FHC of any size then let me know. It will have to be a decent example although I would be prepared to add a fair bit of cash.
Dave
gemini said:
To be fair the spare is a buger to use anyway cos Im pretty sure you have to remove the hatch lock to get the wheel out
Even worse...
the bolts which are easiest to undo are located in the rain gully - so if you undo them you may end up with a nice leak directly into the boot!
(Glad to see you are still interested in the wedge stuff - now that you have your new motor Gemini!)
>> Edited by nads on Tuesday 18th January 19:05
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