I just went and checked the fuel pressure on my 98 SSEi and it reads a steady 48 PSI at idle and then jumps to about 60 PSI as i open the throttle! I went and read up in the service manual and learned that the supercharger fuel pump is a 2 stage unit.
I also checked online at NAPA and Advance Auto ... FPR about $50 - pump and strainer $125
Thanks for the info about the snap ring for the FPR. glad I don't need to replace the entire fuel rail.

It sounds like what my 97' SSE was doing, the last owner had run it very low on fuel for extended times, and as a by-product the fuel pump was very weak. I replaced it and the broken fuel level sensor and the car has been very easy to start since then.

UPDATE!!

dispite all my soreness from my accidant friday night, i got the fuel pump replaced on my daughter'* 97 SE with the help of a good friend (did a lot of the work for me) i wanted to replace the fuel sending unit too but could not find one anywhere and ordering would have taken too long to wait.

turned on the key twice to prime pump and build pressure...got 50 psi on 2nd key-on!!

got rest of car back together, and it started up amost instantly!! finally something gone right this weekend!!

took it out for a spin around the block and it seemed to have better acceleration than before!!

still have to do a tuneup (plugs and new wires) but its too cold and too late to do that...will do another day.

thanks for all the imput.

Terry