ok so before my 00vi swap i had this problem. when starting my car it will crank and crank and crank very weakly and not start. Then i will try again it will be a much stronger crank and will start. I have replaced the crankshaft sensor(pos) inbetween the tranny and engine. I am throwing codes for the egr and evap but that is because i dont have them there cause of the 00vi swap. so could it be my crankshaft sensor by the pulley?

 

Yes definitely check that connection. On mine, I hastily connected the sensor, not realizing that I had bent one of the two connector pins inside the sensor. The car would still start & run, but took much longer to start than usual.