1. Sensored motors will run on a sensorless ESC, but usually they run a little bit rough. Cogging at low speed.

2. The LRP and Novak stuff is all sensored. You can mix and match. The LRP ESC with Novak motors is a popular setup.

3. Not sure what a 9.5 compares too. My guess is around a 13T. He may have had better batteries than you or your Orion motor needs a comm turn and some brushes.