Originally Posted by RC*PHREAK

Higher average voltage? Not sure about that. Maybe if we ran 10-12 minute mains. For most of us that run 6-8 minutes, I'd be surprised to see much if any difference in average voltage.

You're only thinking about the weights of the batteries themselves. A shorty allows you not only to move the battery around but put that weight savings over a saddle anywhere you want (C/D block, bulkhead, aluminum hubs, etc).