Tesla Model S / Plaid – Superlight Carbon Ceramic Front Big Brake Kit (BBK)

Superlight Carbon Ceramic Front Big Brake Kit (BBK) For The 2021+ Tesla Model S and Model S Plaid

Tracking a Plaid? An important safety note – Our brake systems for Plaid are excellent for everyday use as-is and also are designed for track use (when paired with our race pad option, a professional brake fluid flush using approved race fluids, correct bed-in procedure, and our brake cooling duct kit). The significantly uprated brake kits we offer will greatly increase capacity and temperature operating range. The primary purpose of this kit is to expand the limits of the car’s performance and reliability as far as physics and sizing can allow. However, like any brake system, nothing is invincible to unlimited temperatures and abuses. As always, please take extra precautions in motorsports braking scenarios (repeated high-speed braking) to monitor and manage brake temperatures. These precautions are not unique or specific to our brakes, we would advise the same safety precaution with any variation of brake system on any vehicle of comparable weight and power level. We’ve written a brake guide here for a deeper look into brake upgrades and strategies specific to the Model S Plaid.

The Tesla Model S Plaid is one of the fastest street cars on earth and decelerating 5000 lbs quickly, repeatedly and with consistent driver confidence is a big challenge. Pushing your Plaid anywhere near its limits requires a braking system that can take a beating from high-weight-high-g-force stops exerting incredible forces repeatedly.  The Unplugged Performance Carbon-Ceramic Front Big Brake Kit (BBK) is designed to significantly increase this capacity. It accomplishes the various motorsports records and thrilled street user feedback it has received by bringing a 93% increase in pad/rotor surface contact, significantly higher thermal capacity hardware, and custom-tailored brake pad compounds to provide the highest possible operating range temperature and pedal feel. It also happens to be significantly lighter in unsprung weight which brings advantages in feel, efficiency, and handling response.

Carbon ceramic braking technology is leveraged by modern hypercars and supercars to provide the ultimate in stopping power, combined with the unique characteristics of carbon which include lightweight, light-wearing, and long component life.  Early-generation carbon-ceramic rotors from manufacturers such as Ferrari and Porsche earned a reputation for being squeaky and cranky in cold weather, these problems have been overcome with the latest generation carbon-ceramic technology. We are proud to say that our carbon-ceramic brake systems are quieter than any iron system we have tried with performance pads and perform well in all conditions from boiling hot track days to frozen mountain roads.

A key advantage of this big brake kit is the packaging and efficiency. We’ve managed to increase pad-to-rotor surface area from 77.5cm² (standard equipment) to 149.4cm² with this kit. This represents a massive increase of 93% while still fitting factory 19″ wheels. Beyond standing up to the deceleration demands of the Plaid Model S, the Unplugged Performance Superlight Carbon-Ceramic Big Brake Kit lowers unsprung weight in excess of 25lbs which translates to a reduction in the amount of inertia for the components managed by the suspension, which in turn leads to a more responsive ride and more agile handling feel. Additionally, reductions to the rolling mass can also improve range and efficiency for vehicles with economy-focused wheels and tires.

A Note On Brake Fluid & High-Performance Driving:

Brake fluid plays a vital role in the performance and reliability of every brake system, especially so in high-performance driving. A professional brake bleed with high-performance fluid is a requirement for the functionality of our brake system. We recommend using Motul RBF 660 (our go-to fluid) or Endless RF-650 brake fluid. Brake fluid should be flushed frequently for race cars in particular because over time moisture content builds and moisture inherently decreases the temperature limit of the brake fluid. Brake fluid and its temperature capabilities of it matter especially due to the high temperatures the heavy and powerful Model S generates. The higher temperatures seen in the brake system transfer heat to the brake fluid and when the brake fluid boils those bubbles create air in the brake lines. Air in the brake lines from the boiled fluid can create a near-instant loss of the brake pedal. Therefore, using a high temp brake fluid and managing brake heat is key to safe braking for extreme environments.

Loss of pedal is a different symptom than brake fade and typically a symptom of brake fluids exceeding their temperature range (or alternatively a leak in the system) whereas brake fade is often a byproduct of the brake pads exceeding the operating temperature range. In both cases, managing temperatures in a racing environment and adequate testing is typically found in motorsports drivers and are always strongly encouraged to get the best and most safe result. We flush our brake fluid after each race and we monitor caliper temperatures for these same reasons on our race cars. Please always feel welcome to talk to our team if you have questions about motorsport use. For street driving the temperatures seen are significantly less and this plays a lesser role although the same fluids are suggested for street cars as well.

UP Model S Plaid Carbon Ceramic Front Big Brake Kit (BBK) Specifications

• Fits all Tesla Model S Plaid and Model S Long Range 2021+ vehicles in any factory wheel configuration.
• Improve braking performance and feel.
• 93% Increase in brake pad to rotor surface area from 77.5cm² (standard equipment) to 149.4cm² while still fitting factory 19″ wheels.
• Reduction of 25lbs+ unsprung weight for better feel and improved efficiency
• Kit includes all components necessary for installation (high-performance brake fluid will need to be supplied by the buyer, and can be purchased at any automotive parts retailer)
• The default caliper color is red, but it can also be supplied in the original gloss black color or a wide range of custom colors.  Custom colors are available for an additional fee.
• Designed to fit Tesla 19″ Tempest and 21″ Arachnid wheels as well as all Unplugged Performance wheels and every aftermarket 19″ or larger wheel that we have seen.

UP Model S Plaid Carbon Ceramic Front Big Brake Kit (BBK) Includes:

• (2) 6-piston Monoblock Calipers
• (2) 15.5″ Carbon Ceramic Rotors with top hats
• (4) Brake Pads
• (2) Billet Caliper Adapter Brackets
• (4) Stainless Steel Brake Lines (Front and Rear)
• (4) Caliper Bolts
• (4) Caliper Bracket Bolts