i started with the same setup as yours, but with a 7xl

1) Your Choice of battery PLug
2) Some 4mm or larger bullet connectors
3) RC Monster Motor clamp (XL size)
4) CCBEC
5) CC Castle Link
6) A 25x25 mm fan helps, but select a gear WITHOUT IT!
7) 5mm 32p gear. I would start at 20 and work your way up to about 24 max

Just a heads up, i tried running my NIMH and the batteries fried...had to go lipo...but then again, now im runnig a NEU...you will soon make the switch