Im fairly sure all my research on here shows that its the case but I just wanted some opinions.

So far the signs are;

- It takes a little longer than it used to, to prime when the ignition key is on and sound like its labouring a little. eg, has 2 different notes when its priming.

- Sometimes the car wont start. It primes, turn the key, it fires briefly, then just keeps cranking. Have to leave it for 2 mins and it will start ok. (Ive had this for a while so it might not me related).

- I can hear in running when the cars idles or at low RPM.

- When driving at constant RPM (cruising) the car surges slightly, just enough to feel and hear a difference in the engine.

- Then the more throttle i use the stronger the lurches and surging, until its enough to stumble and nearly stall. If i stay on it and keep accelerating i get pops and backfiring out of the exhaust.

Would all these things be able to be caused by a dieing fuel pump?

I had a fuel pressure guage buts its dead. So im waiting for another one. But i have a nice big inline pump here i bought for the turbo build that i could put in tomorrow.

Could well be a dying pump. The fuel pressure gauge is the right next step. Another way is to capture the O2 sensor output via a scan tool. I diagnosed my stock pump failing when the O2 output steadily dropped in 3rd gear at WOT, but before driveability issues cropped up.

You might actually need that inline pump to drive the car. your in-tank pump is on its way out. Feel proud that you recognize it, instead of realizing it on the side of the road.

All of that could also be a symptom of a clogged fuel filter. Change the filter before you go to work on the pump.