Ya if i was you i would invest in a built trans and rebuild the 3800 with a cam. It gives you a good base for expansion and eliminates the problems with the higher mileage engines. If you want to push some power a fresh motor takes ALOT more abuse than a getting tired motor.. Oh and its kinda a pain to put a cam in the car with the motor still in it, if you already have it out its makes life alot simpler