that esc should have a built in failsafe?... if it got 2 hot it would kill it anyway, get a set of 3300 or more batt pack, tornado do a cool 4200 stick pack that is cool, another to try is solder the esc straight to the motor, helps a lil, also have you got an allu motor mount?..i would suggest u check how tight the mesh is on the pinion gear, if that is to tight to the spur it can heat it up aswell... hope this helps...