What was the timing set for your 13 turn?
Was it set to zero degrees or was it advanced?
stock motors are 24 degree advanced.
Johnson 540 motors should be OK.

I had heard that motors with advanced timing and esc with reverese don't mix.
if this is correct you may have stuffed it.

I've mostly always used esc with forward and brake only so I'm not sure personally, it's just something someone told me once.