96 V6 hard start

[carboy87ss]

I have a 96 Firebird 3.8 5spd with 140k. The car has had a hard-start condition for as long as I have had it, which is about 20k. It has gotten worse, but the car starts every time, it just takes 2 or 3 attempts. The problem is this: The fuel pressure spikes with the key on and the engine off (while the pump runs) but drops to 0 after the pump shuts off. The pressure is steady around 43psi at idle, but drops almost instantly to 0 when the engine is turned off. Obviously, something is causing the pressure to bleed off when the pump isn't running, but I don't know what it is. The car does not leak gas. What should I check next? Could a faulty gas cap cause this? What about the vent lines back to the tank?

thanks,
Dave

[LS1 TA]

I'm having the exact same problem with my car right now. It was suggested to me to try the fuel pressure regulator and/ or the fuel pump.