If an ESC start to fail what are some of the signs or do they just go dead?

I am a fair driver and my car is set up pretty good and could be better of course. I can gear my car a 21.5 Lipo on our track from a 1.5 to 1.75 and my lap times change no more than at most a .10. Could this be a sign of the ESC starting to fail? I am going to change to a different ESC next weekend.

Just wondering?

Sounds more like a handling issue to me.

.25 diff in roll out isn't that big for a brushless. I have seen handling play a bigger role in how much gear you can use. Better handling car you can usually throw more gear to it than a ill-handling car. Lap times will dictate how far is too far.

Sounds like chassis setup.

Our typically gearing on a 21.5 is down around 1.6 +/-. I spent one day of chassis tuning and knocked .6 seconds off my lap times and still falling as I work out the bugs. Sometimes your chassis just won't let you go faster no mater how you gear it.

If your chassis is setup well, going between 1.5 and 1.75 should be noticeable and you'll definitely see changes in motor temp.

One really good way to evaluate chassis setup is to listen to it. Fast cars are quiet while slow cars you can hear the tires skid across the pavement. Get a friend to drive your car while you sit in the corners and listen to your car; your impression of "a pretty good setup" may change dramatically.

Bob