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MOA is generally more competitive than shaft due to belly clearance. A lot rests with the driver, though.
Its perfectly possible to do a brushless MOA - 2 x cheap Hobbywing speedos (the Justock or EZrun is fine) and sensored or sensorless motors to suit.
I'm a fan of outrunner brushless motors in shafties - the EZrun 25A + Turnigy 1000kv outrunner in my Losi cost me under £30 and has more than enough torque to lunch the drivetrain if the wheels jam. Alas, I'd be concerned their spinning cans (yup, that's right) would be vulnerable on the axle of a MOA.