newbie has a few 2000 silverado questions

[2000lssilvo]

just got a 2000 ls silverado regular cab that I need a little help with. I love it. Thanks in advance for your response

1) When starting you need to fanagle the key to get it to turn. It is an annoyance. Any sage advice on this problem?

I went to get a new key made and they checked to see if it had a chip. They said it didn't then cut the key but I could not get it to work. Of course this was at home depot.

2) After the truck is warmed up when turning the there is a noise that sounds to me like a power steering issue. Only makes while turning after warm up. Any ideas?

3) The tranny seems to shift quickly from first to second otherwise it runs smooth, the 5.3 seems like a strong engine.

4) Links to other good chevy truck sites would be welcomed, also if someone has a list of cheap horsepower mods it would be much appreciated i.e. airfilter

[BlenderWizard]

I would go to the dealer to get them to cut a new key. Are you using a duplicate (non-OEM) key? If you are, sounds like it might not have been cut just right. As far as your power steering, maybe it's time for a new belt? Seems like if it does it after it gets warm, maybe your belt is stretching a bit too much.