Naruto without Kurama couldn't do anything to Orochimaru, Naruto turned 1-3 tails yet nothing it took 4 tails to stand up to Orochimaru. Naruto without Kurama couldn't even fight Sasuke in Orochimaru lair, Sasuke was stronger, faster, skillful than Naruto in everyway. Naruto managed to surpass Sasuke once he learned Sage Mode, which was stated by Obito.
I tried to search if Naruto being Kurama Jinchuuriki helped Naruto gain Sage Mode in anyway, seems like nothing mentioned in the manga. I probably heard it in anime filler or I am confusing with another thing.