Tesla Model S (2021-2025) Stage 3: S-APEX Brake System

Stage 3: Superlight Carbon Ceramic Brake System with Carbon Fiber Cooling Ducts is the top tier option in our Model S Plaid brake lineup and a core choice within the S-APEX program. If you are looking for the most capable, most repeatable, and most confidence inspiring braking solution we offer for 2021 and newer Model S Plaid and Long Range, this is it.

The foundation of Stage 3 is the same hardware used in our Stage 2 package: the Superlight Carbon Ceramic Front Big Brake Kit (BBK) and the Rear Superlight Large Sweep Carbon Ceramic Rotor + Pad Kit. Together, they turn your Plaid’s braking system into something you would expect on a modern hypercar.

Up front, the BBK replaces the factory hardware with a 6 piston monoblock caliper clamping a 394 x 36 millimeter carbon ceramic rotor. Pad contact area nearly doubles compared to stock, with a 93 percent increase in pad to rotor surface. That means more mechanical leverage, more friction area to absorb energy, and more thermal capacity for repeated high speed stops. Unsprung weight drops by over 25 pounds, improving suspension response and steering feel while also trimming rotating mass for better efficiency.

The rear system matches this philosophy. A 365 x 28 millimeter carbon ceramic rotor with a 56 millimeter sweep annulus and large sweep pads delivers roughly 19 percent more pad contact area than stock, while cutting another 16 pounds of rotational weight. Combined, the front and rear conversions reduce unsprung, rotating mass by more than 40 pounds compared to iron brakes, making the car feel sharper and more agile in every driving mode.

Both front and rear rotors are carbon–silicon carbide designs with a lifetime wear warranty for the original owner, including unlimited track use. They are designed to last the life of the vehicle under normal pad service and do not rely on removable friction layers, so there is no need to send rotors out for re infusion. Our UP x PFC pad compounds are dyno and track tested specifically for these rotors, working quietly and consistently from cold street use to hot lapping conditions.

Stage 3 separates itself by adding a critical third piece: the Carbon Fiber Brake Cooling Duct Kit. This is the system we developed and refined over more than a year of competition at Pikes Peak and in multiple EV track record efforts. Front brakes do the majority of the work in slowing a heavy, powerful EV, and this duct kit is designed to feed them the airflow they need when you are driving at the limit.

Each side of the car receives a carbon fiber inlet, carbon fiber duct tube, high temperature flex hose, and a carbon fiber air guide at the rotor with integrated heat reflective shielding. The duct geometry is shaped to capture high energy air at the front of the car and route it directly into the cooling vanes and channels of the rotor. The result is even inside out cooling of the disc and caliper, rather than simply blowing air at the wheel face.

In testing, we have measured peak temperature drops of more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit at the rotor and caliper when the duct kit is in use. Lower temperatures extend pad and rotor life, reduce the chance of fluid boil, and keep pedal feel consistent deeper into a session. The more you push your Plaid, the more this margin matters for both performance and safety.

For daily driving and road trips, the kit includes removable magnetic covers for the front inlets. Snap them on to keep debris out of the ducts and to minimize any aero drag or range impact on long highway drives. Snap them off at the track or canyon and the full cooling system is ready to work. Installation replaces the factory metal dust shield without cutting, and uses factory style mounting locations. Professional installation is strongly recommended, including the necessary trimming or removal of the plastic front grille panel and a full brake system setup.

Because this package is designed for serious use, we also stress the importance of support components and maintenance. High temperature racing brake fluid such as Motul RBF 660 or Endless RF 650, proper bedding of pads and rotors, and regular fluid flushes are mandatory if you intend to use Stage 3 in high speed, high energy environments. The hardware provides a huge increase in capacity, but like any brake system, it is not immune to unlimited abuse or neglected maintenance.

For S-APEX builds and dedicated track or standing mile cars, Stage 3 is the natural choice. It offers supercar grade carbon ceramic hardware, dramatic reductions in rotating mass, lifetime rotor coverage, and a fully engineered cooling solution proven in the harshest EV racing conditions. On the street you get quiet operation, crisp pedal feel, and extremely low dust. On track you get consistency and confidence that lets you focus on driving, not on wondering whether your brakes will be there at the next braking zone.

Compatibility:

• This brake system will only be compatible with the following Tesla Model S years/generation: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025