new SP owner

[cdog4w]

Just won an SP off ebay and now I need to outfit it. I have a mini-x but I don't really want to strip it of electronics since it serves a different role than the SP (4WD, more rugged outdoor driving). So I'm going to need the basics like bearings, and then electronics. I'm following some things on ebay to hopefully make this a cheap venture (I'm not ready to spend more than $50-75 yet, tho I will complete the car at a later date if it will be more expensive).

1. I saw at horizonhobby that the bearings for the SP are flanged, so can I use the (cheaper) mini-x bearings (same size) even though they're not flanged? Would this be a bad idea even if it would work, ie. lower quality bearing?

2. A more general electronics question, how important is receiver quality? Most are pretty expensive, around $60 retail, but the mini-x receiver can be bought for $30 and is quite small. I obviously already have a matching radio (futaba from here) so that would be nice and the price is right, but I don't want to buy a sub par component if I can help it.

3. Everyone seems to love the hitec servos, so I was planning on getting one somewhere in the HS-50 to HS-81MG range (since all the models in between seem to be around the same size and would work) depending on the cost of it and other components.

4. It seems that the novak spy is the ESC of choice. The LRP Quantum Reverse is supposed to be awesome but is way out of my pricerange. Anyone have experience with the Team Orion Flash ESC? Would I be better off getting a spy for a bit more money? There's also the IPD R-18 which comes highly recommended and is very affordable, but I'm not sure if I can run w/o reverse yet :P The mini-x is my first RC so I'm still learning how to drive.

5. Lastly I could stick my budget easily by picking up the whole mini-x electronics package for $50 and get the $4 extra 2 fets to upgrade the ESC. I haven't found any stats on the frequency, resistance or amp handling of this ESC, anyone know? Anyone think this is a stupid way to cut costs?

I know I've asked some questions that have come up on the board already, but most of the posts are pretty old and things do change :P Thanks.