Hacking Stock N3DS XL modding with R4i Gold 3DS Plus

[endlesszeal]

I was able to pick up a Hyrule N3DS XL from a co-worker for an amazing price. Its stock with the newest firmware (11.6) and dual IPS screens! Superstoked.

Anyway, i have a Wii and used to have a DS with acekard that i gave a way, so i thought wouldnt the 3DS have mods by now? I did quite a bit of searching and found the R4i ntrboot method is best to load custom firmware. And please correct me if Im wrong, but here are my intentions:

1) R4i Card
2) Load into N3DS and follow 3DS guide.
3) Install freeshop
4) Switch card to NDS mode
5) Enjoy 3DS and NDS library

I have 3 questions though:

1) I currently have save data from Mario Kart and New Super Mario Bros that I would like to preserve. Would following the guide wipe out the save data or is there a way to keep a backup and load it back or somehow save it?
2) Would it be better to upgrade the stock 4GB card to 32GB before or after the softmod? Which is the easiest method?
3) With freeshop, would I have to redownload the game every time i want to play the game? or will it save to the microsd card and I shouldnt need to redownload games after initial play?

TLDR: how do i save my current data on stock N3DS to transfer onto CFW mod.

Thanks in advance for the help everyone!

 

[CallmeBerto]

1. Following the guide would not casue you to lose your saves as you don't format the system.
2. Doesn't matter thankfully to upgrade to a bigger size all you have to do is copy and paste the contents of the sd card.
3. If you delete them yes. Thankfully you can back those games up via GodMode9 - https://3ds.guide/godmode9-usage

You can backup your saves with JKSM - https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-jks-savemanager-homebrew-cia-save-manager.413143/