Here are some closer pics of the layout.
I'm really beginning to think its the controller to motor wiring. Spent a lot of time just tooling around in the drive way and the hesitation really only occurs when I ask for more than 1/8th or so of throttle. Consistently, and the hesitation is worse if I try to go full throttle. I find it hard to believe that its interference because it was so predictable. I did reprogram the controller and no change occurred; I also tried a different radio/receiver and no change.
Here's what the motor and controller wires originally looked like:
Do you think I should try and direct wire them or use some 4mm plugs instead of 3.5mm? Or do you think I'm just on the wrong path all together?