I have an SE, but I have modified the fuel delivery system and now it doesn't run as I expected it would. I modified the fuel delivery to replace the stock regulator with an after market regulator. I am modifying the fuel supply because I want to use a MegaSquirt for some improved performance at some point hopefully. I started messing with the fuel and maintained the stock ECU until I get all of the fuel stuff is ironed out. The fuel return line was removed from the injector rail and placed on the new regulator return line. The rail will have constant pressure, should this be a problem or should the pressure be lowered to compensate? The car will fire, but floods out almost immediately. If I turn off the fuel supply the car will re-fire, turn the fuel back on and it dies again. I have the regulator set for 38psi. I haven't tried reducing the pressure yet, Any other suggestions?

another thing, should I maintain the pulsation damper and will it have an effect on this?

 

Let me get this straight, you are using the stock rail, stock injectors, but aftermarket regulator? Is that correct? Does the aftermarket regulator have a vacuum reference? If so, is it connected? Have you verified fuel pressure? 38psi should be fine. The SEs stock one is about 37psi when no vac is present, about 28psi at idle.

Is the coolant temp sensor in the back of the waterpump housing plugged in?

 

You have that all correct, all stock except the regulator.
The regulator does have the vacuum port, but I have not connected it yet. I thought it might give me more trouble than help.
So, If I want to just get it running, it may be best to connect the vacuum line or reduce it to 28psi just to get it running at idle?
The coolant sensor is plugged in too.
Can you suggest a pressure guage for this application, if its anything like the carburated setup this could be an issue too, not sure how accurate the guage I am using actually is? I had one lying around 0-120 psi that I used for a rough setting.

 

Well, it is best to hook up the vac port. What this does is keeps the pressure difference across the injector constant. So at WOT, fuel pressure will be 38psi, air in the manifold will be at atmospheric pressure (38 psi difference). At idle with the vac port hooked up, fuel pressure might be 28psi, but air in the manifold is at -10 psi (also 38 psi difference). I don't think this is the problem, though. The SE references atmospheric pressure (instead on manifold vac) during hot starts (raises fuel pressure to 37psi) to help prevent vapor lock. The problem must be elsewhere. Are you sure the injectors aren't sticking/leaking? Everything else with the intake/fuel system stock?

I guess that I am not sure why you are using the aftermarket regulator and such. The SE rails and pump can flow plenty of fuel unless you are going for a large increase in power. If that is the case, I would recommend an s5 intake so that you'll have 2 rails and 4 injectors. Easy enough to use once you install your MS.

For fuel pressure, I would just get a fuel injection pressure tester. I have one that you could borrow if I can find it. You can get them at any parts store. About $30 or so. I think that mine goes to 100 psi.