Dennis, I’m sure there are others out there with more expertise than I, but I can share my thoughts on this. I don’t know the effect of changing the PWM setting on load response. I have used it primarily to control motor heat. In my experience if the PWM setting is too high the ESC heat gets higher. If it’s too low the motor heat increases. I can give you some examples.
I use this formula to determine PWM:
(KV x Voltage x Num of Poles) / 20 = PWM
Plane: Mo’Best, motor Cobra 2826-10/930
KV = 930
Poles = 14
Voltage = 18.5 (5s)
(930 x 18.5 x 14) / 20 = 12044 - rounded to PWM = 12khz
Initially the motor PWM was set to 8 and the motor was very hot to the touch. Based on the above calculation I changed it to 12PWM and now the motor runs cooler.
Plane: Trophy Trainer, same motor as above
KV = 930
Poles = 14
Voltage = 11.1 (4s)
(930 x 11.1 x 14)/ 20 = 7226 - round up to PWM = 8khz
I run this at 8 PWM with no heating issues
Plane: Axiom, motor Bad Ass 3515-710
KV = 710
Poles = 14
Voltage = 22.2
(710 x 22.2 x 14) / 20 = 11,033 - round up to PWM = 12khz
I have no heating issues at this setting.
My motor timing in all cases is set to 5.
In your case with the info you provided:
Kv = 820
Poles = 14
Voltage = 18.5
(820 x 18.5 x 14) / 20 = 10,619 - round up to PWM =12khz
Seems like PWM = 12 would be a good setting
Hope this is of some value to you,
Frank