If you decide to change the stock parts out, you would need to make sure that you select the correct corresponding part that fits. The Higher the performance you want from the motor and ESC, the more amperage they will pull from the battery packs. The Battery packs need to be capable of that if not, it will damage you packs for sure.

Stock ESC
The stock Axial AE2 ESC isn’t a bad ESC overall, It performs well. It is a stock ESC, so it lacks of the tuning capabilities of other expensive units. As for a RTR ESC, it is a nice one. It is not advertised as waterproof, but people have no issue submerging the Wraith with appropriate precaution.

Upgrading ESC
There are a few reasons why you would want to change your ESC. It is not necessary to change it right out of the box. Most of the reasons why you would want to switch are because you have a better motor to support it. You would also need to decide if your truck is for bashing, crawling, or a mix of it. When considering a new ESC, you would have to find the voltage limit of it, also if it is water proof, or if it is programmable. What is the cost and if it has any crawling friendly features.

Stock Motor
The 20t stock brushed motor is another piece of motor. Nothing fancy ofcourse, also the life span of the stock motor is very limited depending on how you use it. Abusing it around dirty creek water would decrease its life span a lot.

Upgrading Motor
Replacing the motor is something that most people would want to do sooner or later. The stock one would also be dead after using it for a while. Basically for the Axial Wraith, you are either looking for speed or for crawling.

Motor for Speed
If you are going after some speed, then it would be the best f you have a brushless motor system. Both Sensored or Sensorless are great, but Sensored ones would give a better low speed control. A system between 2200 and 3600kv would be the best in our opinion. Running a 3700kv system would be a bit too much that the wheel speed is overkill for anything other than just a fast basher type of truck.

Motor for Crawling
If crawling or trail riding is what you like to do, then there would be a lot of options. The most economic way is to just replace the stock motor and still use the stock ESC. A motor around 25-45 turn is good, depending on how much wheel speed you would want for your Axial Wraith. If you would like a little more tune-ability or run a high voltage motor, then you would need to change the ESC as well. Upgrading it would need to look at the size, cost, voltage limits, motor limits, waterproof, and programming interface. For crawling, it is important to get a sensored system, for the stable low speed control.