Looking into lipid and I notice traxxas has this ESC listed at 200 amps continuous. Are they for real? Or is this just hopes and dreams from traxxas?

It may be for real or it may be a rating of any fets used. I don't think a VXL motor will ever draw near that continuous. Maybe burst.

OK so that would just be what the ESC can handle then not necessarily what the motor actually draws

correct. the esc just the gateway. better to have an esc that can handle more current and volts then the motor so the motor doesnt burn it out.

It's been examined before. And with unofficial results, the real world numbers are closer to 70A. Not sure about burst, but I'm guessing 100-ish.

I've asked the about this before and they sent me the official spec sheet. Cont 200 a burst 320a

if you can prove you've ever pulled 200 amps at any time with your vxl esc, and it's still in working order, let me know. i will promptly and immediately sell all my children and half my organs and use the money to buy as many vxl systems as i can afford.

the vxl esc is dwarfed in power delivery capabilities by almost any 80A to 120A esc on the market currently. there's no way in hates those numbers are anything less than a blatant lie. i don't care what any single component in the unit is capable of... we're using them as completed units. thus they should be rated as to what the completed unit is actually capable of...

If this can be proven, I'll let you sell my organs as well! I'm currently working with doctors in developing a brushless heart, so I don't need the stock heart I have now anyways!!!