Check to make sure the leads in to the connectors are in the same locations so that when they come together they are correspondent? Sparks are never a good sign but usually mean you shorted it out. Similar to trying to jump a car with the jumpers in the wrong places. Hopefully you didn't fry the controller also. But as usual contacting the vendor with regards to these issues often works the best as they have seen/heard it all.
I take it that motor fits on a Currie rear hub drive?