Yah.. I'm still using the stock sprint esc - works fine with stock motors which is all I plan on using for the moment.
Sure, it doesn't have reverse lockout, but then I'm not competing professionally anyway - just after some fun
I'm using 30wt in all of the shocks in my buggy atm. I have some 50wt too, and might try using 50wt in the front and 30 in the rear or something like that (similar to what the Racer9 guy uses) and see how it goes.
I'm still figuring out the best setup myself atm of course
Let me know what tweaks you do work and don't work.