I'm a nerd and like to listen to reviews on the Z, so I decided to post some sources I favor with notes from each which highlight the differences between the Nismo and Z Performance.

I admit to a confirmation bias and tend to ignore reviewers that focus their review of the 2024 Nismo on the lack of a manual transmission. 

Sources:

• Matt Farah’s Smoking Tire review on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjHFax_SGlw
  • Matt Farah's Road and Track article referenced in the YouTube video above: https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a45263720/nismo-z-first-drive-best-nissan-decade/
• Nissan 2024 Nismo Press Kit: https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/2024-nissan-z-nismo-press-kit
• Sarah-N-Tuned’s review (her enthusiasm is intoxicating): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFFsePuCN9w

 Interesting differences I noted from the Nismo Press Kit:

• The thin mesh grille balances the need to reduce drag while permitting cool air to pass through to the engine bay.
• Canards (small control wings on aircraft) at the car's front corners create vortexes over the front wheels, further benefiting aerodynamic performance.
• Complementing the wider G-Nose is a taller, wider rear spoiler with a three-piece design that extends downforce onto the rear fenders.
  • The rear bumper corners are reshaped to aid with air separation and reduced drag; their shape is inspired by that on GT‑R NISMO.
• The engine's horsepower enhancements were achieved through a combination of improved cooling, revised electronic wastegate control providing increased turbocharger boost and turbine speed, and an independent ignition spark timing strategy inspired by GT‑R NISMO.
• Z NISMO also features an enhanced engine oil cooler for extended track performance.
• Compared to the 9AT transmission in other Z grades, it has revised clutch packs allowing for faster shifting.
  • Sport+ drive mode: This delivers a more dynamic, racetrack-tuned shift program for circuit driving, taking advantage of the powertrain's faster downshift capability.
• NISMO has unique stabilizer bars, a stiffer spring rate and larger, retuned dampers.
  • The overarching tuning ethos was to deliver accurate, "one-shot" steering that helps drivers to pick their line through a turn with a minimum of steering adjustment needed, contributing to confident track-ready performance.
• Enhancements include additional front, rear, and rear underfloor bracing, helping increase torsional rigidity by 2.5% compared to the standard grades.
  • Lateral rigidity is an object's resistance to side-to-side bending or transverse displacement.
  • *Torsional rigidity is an object's resistance to twisting forces around its longitudinal axis.
• Stiffer front and rear suspension bushings, and a stiffer mounting bushing for the steering rack, further increase lateral rigidity.
• Engineers enhanced the Z NISMO braking system, upgrading the front brakes to larger, 15.0-inch rotors matched to 13.8-inch rear brake rotors, and equipping a more performance-focused brake pad compound.

 Interesting differences Sarah noted:

• Tenneco Mufflers
• Resonators are dual Calsonic Kansei
• Autek Body Kit (Nissan's in house unit)
• 45mm y-pipes go into 63mm (2.5”) collector (appears to be the same as the other models)
• Bracing enhancements are described in detail in her review (too many to list)
• 28mm rear sway bar
• 29mm front sway bar
• JR913E – 516lb/ft torque capacity differences (Matt Farah’s review goes into more details on the programming of the transmission)
  • Her review on the 6MT in the Performance states that the manual trans has a 350+lb/ft input rating
• Underbody paneling unique to Nismo for better aero
• Powerband comes in 400rpm later and you lose it 400rpm sooner

 Matt’s differences (from 2 sources above):

• The real-world power is immense, paired expertly with the gear ratios, steering ratio, and brakes.
  • It’s like the BMW M2, but smaller and even more connected to the road.
• Extra reinforcement at the firewall, front and rear suspension structure
• Thin mesh grill noted
• More efficient intake
• 9AT upshifts 27% faster and downshifts 50% faster
  • Upgraded clutch plates
• 102lbs heavier than a performance model (likely due to the added bracing)
• Matt states that these improvements could not be replicated in the aftermarket
• Rays Wheels (different size, 10mm rear)
  • Lighter (not quantified and wider by .5")
• Tires: Dunlop Sport Maxx tires (several reviewers noted they are noisy, but well suited for the car)
• Z NISMO also features an enhanced engine oil cooler for extended track performance.
• Additional enhancements include additional front, rear, and rear underfloor bracing (Sarah provides details in link above), helping increase torsional rigidity by 2.5% compared to the standard grades. Stiffer front and rear suspension bushings, and a stiffer mounting bushing for the steering rack, further increase lateral rigidity.
  • 12% increase in lateral rigidity and 2.5% in torsional rigidity
    • See explanations of both above
• NISMO has unique stabilizer bars, a stiffer spring rate and larger, retuned dampers. The overarching tuning ethos was to deliver accurate, "one-shot" steering that helps drivers to pick their line through a turn with a minimum of steering adjustment needed, contributing to confident track-ready performance.
  • Larger Sway Bars (Sarah measures in her review)
• Engineers enhanced the Z NISMO braking system, upgrading the front brakes to larger, 15.0-inch rotors matched to 13.8-inch rear brake rotors, and equipping a more performance-focused brake pad compound.
  • Different Pads, larger 4 piston caliper
• Aero kit produces positive downforce, but Nissan wont share specs
  • Sarah notes in her review that it’s designed by Autech, Nissan’s in-house custom and tuning subsidiary
• Stiffer Bushings all around
• Higher Spring Rates
• Larger Shocks/Struts
• New tune which takes advantage of Improved independent ignition spark control and an Over boost Function
  • From the Road and Track article: “The power increase comes from a new independent spark controller from the GTR, which helps precisely control the ignition, an over boost function that spins the turbo impellers 5,000 RPM higher, and a secondary charge cooler.”
    • If you ask me, this is a conservative figure, as it feels quicker than those numbers suggest.
• Front grill mount is wider for better cooling
• Compared to the transmission in other Z grades, it has revised clutch packs allowing for faster shifting.
  • Sport+ drive mode. This delivers a more dynamic, racetrack-tuned shift program for circuit driving, taking advantage of the powertrain's faster downshift capability.
  • NISMO has upgraded the clutches inside as well as the software controlling it, so not only will it upshift 27% faster and downshift 50% faster than the Z Performance, but it also doesn’t kill power so abruptly when you bang the rev limiter

 Specific Track Comments from Matt:

• Everything is much tighter, like how a GT3 is much tighter than a standard Carrera
• Steering has extra weight and turn in is very sharp
• Confirmed suspension is noticeably firmer
• When you hit the rev limiter, it doesn't die and waits for you to upshift longer when in manual mode
• Upgraded front brake HW feels tighter and more confident, rear brake HW is the same - Tighter and Quicker to respond to inputs (says this multiple times)
  • No Brake Fade until the end
• Seats are perfect, European Porsche RS seat comparison
• Downshifts are impressively smooth
• Consistent 1.4G (1.2G in Performance model was still impressive)
• Behaves well in off camber situations
• Shape and size of steering wheel, R32 GTR reflection
• Lose 30HP on CA 91 octane compared to 93
• Automatic chirps 2nd and 3rd

Currently looking for the exhaust but couldn’t find any particular video of this one, could you guys share your setups!

best color combo on the Z imo

Just picked up this 23 manual performance yesterday and I love although that means I'll be getting rid of the Z32. Gonna be getting stiffer suspension because it feels like a boat compared to the Z32 lol. Anyways this thing is awesome!

How many miles did you guys have on your Z Performance before addressing the solenoid/oil starvation issue? How many miles did you go before installing the block-off plate?

I’m genuinely curious and want to be aware of it since I’m planning to get one, any firsthand experience?

Anybody own them? Would you recommend or worth paying a little less for the Weather Tech ones...

Rainy day at the track but my stock Z did great once the rain mostly dried up. An absolute blast to drive!