SP Rides: To Infiniti and Beyond
By Michael Kitchens
Name: David Ooten
Age: 25
Occupation: Student
Hobbies: Cars, sports, skateboarding
Color: Diamond Graphite
Engine and Drivetrain: Rebuilt engine, Stillen Stage 4 Supercharger, Stillen Intercooler, Injen Intake, Walboro 255 LPh fuel pump, DW 550cc fuel injectors, Custom pulley system, Osiris Tune
Exterior: Top Secret Front Bumper, Nismo Side Skirts, Carbon Fiber Rear Diffuser, Stillen Carbon Fiber Hood, Seibon Carbon Fiber Roof Cap, Mastergrade Hikkatadori Trunk, Tinted Taillights, Angel Eyes Mod on Headlight, Carbon Fiber Side Mirror Covers
Interior: Kenwood Head Unit, Rockford Fosgate Subwoofer, Blue LED interior lights
Drivetrain and Suspension: TransGo Shift Kit, Stillen Front and Rear Sway Bars, SPC Control Arms
Wheels, Tires and Brakes: 19-inch Volk GTS Wheels, NEXEN & Lexani LX-5 tires Akebono BBK
The Infiniti G series has been around since the early 1990s. Originally Infiniti’s bottom-level luxury car and an alternative to the larger and more expensive Q45, it soon became the luxury vehicle division of automaker Nissan Motor Co.’s top-tier, premium sports brand. Eventually, however, the series gave way to larger, more powerful models such as the G35 and G37, which attracted car enthusiasts because of their VIP look and track-ready trend.
David Ooten is one of those enthusiasts. He is pure race, through and through, as evidenced by his work-in-progress 2004 Infiniti G35 coupe.
David purchased this Diamond Graphite G35 while serving as a marine and stationed stateside. He completed the majority of his performance modifications in California, determined to ensure that the coupe was both reliable and survivable.
The engine was completely rebuilt with forged internals in order to handle the incoming Stillen Stage 4 Supercharger. Combined with a bevy of modifications including a Stillen Intercooler, Injen Intake, Walbro 255 LPh fuel pump and DW 550cc fuel injectors, the ride is able to reliably pump out 450whp — much to David’s delight. OSIRIS Tuner handles this tuning, with additional power coming from a custom pulley system and a Stillen twin-piped 3-inch catback exhaust system.
Unable to find a manual transmission in his price range, David opted for a TransGo Performance Shift Kit to give his auto the advantage whenever it’s on-track. To help provide a steady contact patch, the car is equipped with 19-inch Volk GTS Wheels as well as extra stopping power thanks to the Akebono Big Brake Kit. SPC Control Arms gives a bit of additional camber correction as well as adjustability.
The G35 is a stunning car to begin with and this ride has been enhanced with a choice selection of exterior modifications. An Angel Eyes mod lights up the night with a stunning array of LEDs. A Top Secret front bumper, NISMO side skirts, as well as a svelte carbon fiber rear diffuser improve the aerodynamic performance of the car. The car features trick carbon fiber components such as a Stillen hood, Seibon roof cap, and Mastergrade Hikkatadori trunk that really add to the look of David’s ride.
David has built this car to be race-ready and yet enjoyable on the street so the interior features some pumping sounds with a Kenwood head unit, and a 10-inch Rockford Fosgate subwoofer. Some blue LED interior lights add to the mood and match the overall theme.
Now serving full time as a student, David will soon be heading back to Cali with the hopes to modify his ride into a true performance machine. His plans include racing seats, full roll cage, harness as well as other components that will enable him to race at Willow Springs at full blast. Having raced at Willow Springs myself, I can understand the gleam in David’s eye as he contemplates his future with the car. I have to admit, I’m a little envious of this track-ready trouble.
