I have zero experience with Speed Passion equipment so someone else will have to help you there. I really haven't heard anything bad about them for that matter either. What kind of application do you plan on running? Boosted, blinky(no timing)? I run LRP because of its smoothness and brakes. Some here say LRP BEC crap out a lot but i have had zero issues and its a year old and runs like new even with zero updates done. All of the programming is done onboard the ESC. My other car has a Tekin RS. Its good too but but needs a netbook/laptop to fine tune along with the connection adapter by Tekin(hot-wire).
Tekin support is excellent. They are on this forum quite a bit and turn around service is good.

There are a lot of charger choices too. I like thunder power. Another great company based out of Vegas. Hyperion Chargers are nice too.

As for batteries, Lipo is the way to go. Life chemistry makes the more stable but power output compared to lipo is less. Mis handling lipos like not balance charging and over discharging may cause cell swelling or worse, Flame out. Just charge at 1C(capacity divided by 100) and you be fine. Get a lipo charge bag just in case.

On another note, Mod and boosted classes dont require Higher C rated batteries. but if you plan on running blinky classes, you may want to buy a the highest C rating you can afford. Higher C ratings will have much more punch. believe me it the truth regardless of what other will say. try to stay away from 2s2p cells(four cells but 2 are in parallel and the theyare then wire in series) much more internal resistance and less punch.

Reedys and thunder power are a great choice. those are what i use and i can definately vouch for the power output.

Here's what i use: LRP sxx tc version 2, reedy motors(smooth power delivery) and reedy batteries. My thunder powers batteries are over a year old but run at 90% original capabilities. thunder power chargers