Nismo 370z vs. Standard 370z - Same aftermarket parts, any performance difference?

scruffydog

I've read most of the 5 links you posted and majority of them pretty much sums up the same thing, but it doesn't neccessary answer my question. In general, they all just say, if you want to mod it, go with a base/sport as oppose to a Nismo because of blah blah blah amt of money you're gonna spend or how the Nismo body kit is a waste of $$$ b/c it's ricey or whatever. - I'm not interested in that as I am not trying to figure out which car to buy. I already own a Z.

My question is "theoretical". I am not trying to go about find out whether it's worth it to buy either a Nismo or Sports with my limited budget and see which one fits me better.

I'm purely wondering if one to get a Sports 370z (let's just say) did all the Nismo suspension upgrade, body kit, etc you name it, but still running on stock ECU and original engine. So the only thing that's identical to the Factory Nismo. Should they have the same HP if they both has the same exhaust system (whether if it's Nismo exhaust or any other aftermarket one)?

One thing we know for sure is that Nissan claimed: Nismo got their extra 18 hp from Exhaust and a tuning. But is the exhaust alone +18hp? or is it from a little bit of both?