Post 2 may have your answer. But I will offer my story...
My Crossfire is fine, but my Ford Ranger does this - a warm engine means CRAZY cranking to get it started.
When warm, the truck starts easily if I do this:

Get in truck.
Turn key to "ON".
Wait 5 seconds.
Turn key to "Start".

It then starts fine. Try this. If it helps, I think it's time to monitor fuel pressure when starting. With a new filter/regulator, I can't imagine what is wrong, but that's where i'd start.