Suite Test version on my new server
 

I have 3.8.6 runing on my old server. I have done a msqldump of the database.

What I want to do is install VB4 Suite on my new server (updated PHP and MySQL), and use the 3.8.6 database from today to set up the new server templates and images and to test iTrader and a couple of other mods. That may take a bit of time.
When I am ready to go live I'll have to shut down the live forum, export the current db from it, move it to the new server, and import & re-run the upgrade script.

At that point I'd expect the import to completely oblerate and replace the test database I was using. Am I correct in my assumption?

That would mean I'd have to re-do any template mods I do on the test site. Is there any way to preserve all the customizations made prior to re-loading a 3.8 db?

Thanks in advance.