to get faster

Question
I have a problem and I believe it has something to do with my technique because I have a friend that's on my swim team and I'm just half an inch taller than him and I'm stronger than him and I don't weigh that much more than him but yet he swims several seconds faster than me in all events(ex. 50 yd freestyle:him 23, me 26)  I try to watch him swim to see if he does anything different then what I do but I don't see anything that could make a huge difference.  That's why I'm here looking for advice and wondering if you could give me any pointers, specifically on technique.  It would also be very helpful if you could tell me work-outs I could do at home and what should I eat to become a better swimmer. It would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Phillip--
One of the most important things to do is your starts and turns, they have to be fast, efficient and streamlined.  Good starts and turns are a big help to getting faster.  
It's hard to watch someone else and compare it to what you are doing, because you can't see what you are doing and make changes.  Work on maximum distance per stroke types of drills.  It's not how many strokes you take, it's how efficient each stroke is.  It sounds like your friend is just more efficient at pulling through the water, try to get more feel for the pressure of the water on your hand.
I would like to give you more advice,but I have to leave for work.
After you read this send me a follow up and I will give you more.
George