In the October issue we unleashed 2NR's twin-turbo Projekt Z, our fire-breathing road-going supercar based on the newest iteration of a legendary sports car icon. This month our cover car is a modified version of the Z's refined factory cousin, the luxurious Infiniti G35 coupe. Owned and built by Northern Cali's Dara Sodano, the car breathes through a GReddy twin-turbo setup identical to that used on Projekt Z and wears some of the most incredible paint we've ever seen.
This G35 is Sodano's second show vehicle. Her first was a '97 Civic EX she bought new as commuter transportation. She began modifying in the usual way, and like most, was inspired and egged on by her peers until she made her way from mild to wild, picking up an impressive list of sponsors in the process and traveling as far away as Atlanta to compete in show events. She had such great success that many of her sponsors for that car made the transition with her to the Infiniti platform. The Civic won such honors as the NCCA's Best Honda award in 2003--no easy feat--and finished second in the nation in overall points that same year. With this new car she launched a new company with her boyfriend and partner in crime, Jason Flowers, called Raging Bull Marketing. At this point, it seems the sky marks the limit.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the exterior is the masterful paint, applied by Mike Lavallee of Killer Paint in Snohomish, Wash. You might know the name; word has it he's done work for such well-known outfits as Discovery's "Monster Garage" and Jesse James' "West Coast Choppers." The fact she could win support from such an in-demand artisan speaks volumes for Sodano's marketability. Though at first glance it appears to be a multi-stage chameleon-type treatment, Lavallee actually faded and blended several custom House of Kolor mixes, employing varied candies and pearls, and added such design cues as his own signature airbrushed flames, custom airbrushed characters and ghost watermarks of the Havoline and Racing Revolution logos (Racing Revolution by Havoline is Sodano's title sponsor). All things considered, this paint job probably cost as much as the car itself, and we dare say you won't find one like it anywhere else on the planet.
Lavallee's art has been laid over a mildly massaged exterior that includes widened rear fenders, a Top Secret fascia and side skirts, and a GTP carbon-fiber hood and rear wing. Distractions like the door handles and moldings were removed and smoothed over. A one-off rear diffuser was also added to the back end, fabricated by Justin Samberg of Samberg Fabrications. Like the paint, these exterior mods were carried out at Lavallee's shop in Snohomish.
Despite the outrageous exterior, the G35's engine received an equal amount of attention and came together through a collective effort that included Raging Bull Marketing of Martinez, Calif., Twin Cam Motorsports in Concord, Calif., and Samberg fabrications. To begin with, the Nissan V6 was completely torn down and reassembled by Sodano and Jason Flowers. The cylinder bores were opened up to undisclosed specifications--Sodano is keeping much of the powerplant specifics a secret until the new show season begins--and a custom stroker kit was implemented using a brand-new balanced crankshaft, custom rods, rings and lowered-compression Arias pistons. Up top, the cylinder heads were also machined and reassembled with high-performance equipment, including new cam profiles and requisite supporting hardware. The specs on the heads also are a secret at this point--so don't ask. Machine work on both the block and heads was carried out by Mark Young at Complete Auto Works, also in Concord.
Aside from the internal rebuild, the Infiniti's V6 has been subject to a two-stage power boost. First, Sodano added a bolt-on twin turbo kit from GReddy Performance Products, like the one found on 2NR's own Projekt Z. We gave you the rundown in our October issue, but in case your memory is short like ours here it is again. The kit is based on dual TD05H-18G turbochargers, each mounted on its own cast-exhaust manifold and incorporating a GReddy T-Type external wastegate. GReddy test pipes and a GReddy Evo 2 dual exhaust direct waste gas out the back. GReddy's e-Manage computer and 440cc injectors are supplied with the kit to provide an augmented flow of fuel for the thirsty twin-turbo system, but Sodano upgraded her injectors with even bigger RC Engineering squirters and plans to increase the boost from GReddy's conservative setting of 4.5 psi.
The second stage of power comes from a Nitrous Express direct-port nitrous system incorporating NX's cutting-edge rail technology. The direct port system interfaces directly with a one-off intake manifold made by Samberg, and incorporates dual delivery rails and the NX's proprietary Pirahna nozzles. Other additions beneath the hood include GReddy's Airinx intake, oil catch can and radiator overflow reservoir, as well as various caps and a big front-mount intercooler. The plumbing for the turbo system was sourced from both GReddy and Samberg Fabrication. An ACT clutch was installed to interface with the six-speed manual transmission and further drivetrain mods will be placed once final tuning for the turbo and fuel systems is accomplished. Sodano plans to at least double the factory power figures once this is done. Havoline fluids are used throughout the drivetrain, from the oil pan to the rear diff, and the high strung engine burns VP Racing fuels exclusively.
Beneath the car's eye-scorching panels, a set of JIC adjustable coil-overs was employed to drop the G35's sleek chassis over the new PIAA Super Rozza wheels, sized 19x9 in front and 19x10 in the back. Dunlop SP Sport 9000s provide the needed stick, sized 285/35R-19 on the drive wheels. The Brembo brakes remain in their stock configurations. You can't really complain about O.E. Brembo binders, but one of Sodano's next-planned mods is a big brake upgrade of some sort. SPC toe adjusters make sure the rear wheels are pointed in the right direction, even when the JIC suspension is slammed to the pavement.
On the soft side of the window glass, you'll find a cockpit that's been completely reupholstered in black and red. The front seats were removed and replaced with Bride Brix II competition buckets, also re-skinned in black suede. The suede was laid and stitched by Brian Hunter at Interiors by Skip in Concord. The rear seat has been removed entirely to help make room for the ICE system. Said system is fronted by a Kenwood DVD player installed in the glove compartment. Amplification and playback is enabled by Precision Power amps, equalizers, component speakers and subwoofers. Video playback is facilitated by four Directed Video LCD monitors. The ICE system was mapped and installed by Brian Nobuyki and Mike Vasques of Motor Music, also in Concord. Additionally, a trio of GReddy system meters, displaying boost, air/fuel ratio and exhaust gas temperature, were set into the center of the dash in place of the factory stereo along with the GReddy boost controller and a GReddy turbo timer.
Dara will be campaigning hard with her G35-sled in the new year, and though the level of quality and detail is stunning enough to win booth positions for some of her heaviest backers, she intends to go out and win trophies in 2005 just as she did with her old EX. Her advice to newbies just starting out in the scene and looking for sponsors is simple: work hard and show people you've got what they want.
"You have to go out and prove yourself," she said. "I started with local sponsors and made my way up. Present them in a professional manner. Make sure to build strong personal relationships."
Her words echo what successful people have always known: nothing gets done by simply sitting on your ass.
CreditsPhotography: Lionel Deluy/Rex/LA; Model: Charity Shea/Champagne-Trott/LA; Hair/Make-up: Brynn/Artist UnTied/San Francisco; Styling: Monica Rose/Rex/LA. Clothing: 1st outfit: Black Pants: Grey Aunt, Black Top: Desanka, Bra: Victoria Secret, White Tank: Veronica M, Gloves: Monica Rose, Accesories: Veronica M, Shoes: Steven. 2nd outfit: Black Pants: Grey Aunt, Fur Vintage Jacket: American Rag, Hat: Lola, Shoes: Steven. 3rd outfit: Black Skirt: Santuary, Black Halter Top: Desanka, Earrings: Forever 21, Vintage Gloves: American Rag. 4th outfit: Black Pants: Grey Aunt, Black Bra: Victoria Secret, White Tank: Veronica M, Vintage Leopard Jacket: American Rag, Hat: Kangol. Lavalle faded and blended several custom mixes, and added his signature flames, characters, and ghost watermarks of the major sponsors