You probably don't need the tape, but it just bothers me to put the ESC on with no padding. I figured if some padding is used it might as well transfer heat. There is almost no melting of the tape, the MGM never really gets hot enough. The heat sink fins just settle down into the tape a little bit and then stop. This helps keep the ESC in place a bit more securely. I have been using it this way on all my setups for about a year now and it works well.

For the battery stops, I am not sure what to do! Maybe a little foam rubber added to the stops? I hate to think of my $300 batteries buzz sawing into the steel spur!