Engine off and just turning on the pump for 3 seconds I get 30 psi. Once the pump turns off the gauge immediately drops to 26.5 psi and holds there. Is that normal or is my fuel pressure regulator leaking?

This is a stock 2.0 D-jet. CSV is disconnected and all injectors have been rebuilt by Mr.Injector. Pump is new Bosch 2 port.

If it holds the pressure, it’s not leaking.
I don’t recall the pressure before and after the regulator, but ~25-30 after the regulator sounds right.

Normal, it may hold pressure for a half hour or more, but it will bleed down.

There should be no (little) pressure after the regulator, before the pump and after the regulator the system is low pressure. You can get away with regular fuel hose here, but I just use FI hose for all.

The FI loop between the pump and regulator is about 30 psi and requires FI hose, SAE 30R9 or higher. I use SAE 30R14 which IIRC is a marine grade hose.