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Aeromotive Tech Support tells me my scenario is common: the 10 micron filter gets dirty, forcing the pump to deal with fuel pressure in excess of 100 psi in order to put 40 psi at the rails. After some time, the pump gets hot, the fuel goes into cavitation, and it fails.
They recommend that you replace the 10 micron element after 100 miles or so after a newly built car or a newly built fuel system is placed into service, since the new system is the dirtiest it will ever be.
Add in my hose problems, and the whole scenario makes sense.
So there you go: an EFI vapor lock problem that has nothing to do with deadhead vs after-rail regulator plumbing.
jp