little problem starting

[93cobra]

Hello, newbie here. I just bought a 2000 GTP Daytona Pace Car. It has 99,560 miles on it. It amazingly is clean enough all over to almost pass for new. I only put 260 miles on it so far and have noticed one thing that bothers me. When starting it some times it cranks a little longer then I'm use to. I have 2 other Pontiacs with the 3800 none supercharged and they have close to 140,000 mile on them. Theyboth start as soon as you tap the key. The GTP will start with a tap of the key sometimes but usually takes two tries with it cranking for 3 or 4 sec.
It has new plugs, wires and air filter. Iwas told it could be the fuel pressure regulator. I haven't replaced the fuel filter yet. It's on my list of things to do. The car other wise runs great. One other thing, one time while cruising around 65 mph I felt a slight surging while I held the gas peddle steady. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I ordered the regulator. Can anyone tell me where the regulator is located and if there are any tricks to replacing it?
Thanks Lots

[Ripn12s]

Can u hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key?? Does it sound like your other cars?

Surging..... could it be your torque convertor trying to decide if you want it to lock or unlock?

Fuel filter is probably a good place to start. The fuel regulator is on the front fuel rail

[93cobra]

Ihear the fuel pump. I turned the key on twice one time before trying to start it. First time till the pump stopped pumping then to off then back to ingnition on till it stopped pumping ,once it stopped I went straight to start. It turned over for about 4 sec then started. What do you think about the fuel pressure regulator? What are symtoms of the regulator not working up to par?
The surging was really slight on the tack looked like 100 to 200 rpm range with about 1 to 1.5 sec interval. I'm going to watch for that torque converter action.
Thanks for the info!

[Red99GPGT]

Is this when the motor is hot or cold?

[93cobra]

It can be cold or hot. When cold it won't start fast at all. when it's warmed up sometimes it will start with a tap of the key like my two van 3800's with around 140,000miles start all the time hot or cold. Ifwhen it's running, still cold, and I turn it off and immediately start it again, it starts with a tap of the key. Starting it after it only sits a coulpe mins. is no problem either. Now that I think about it when it's warm and it sits a while there's like a 50-50 chance that it will start with the first try. Anyone know what the symptoms of a weak fuel regulator are?
Thanks again

[richtazz]

change the fuel filter before you get to far into this. If that doesn't fix it, then it's possible that it could be a fuel pressure regulator bleeding down, but try the simple stuff first. IF you don't knwo when the fuel filter was last changed, then it's time, so no wasted money there.

[93cobra]

Thanks alot I will change the filter first.