The Macho Trans Am from DKM Design and Performance. Here is a little of what I know about the DKM Macho Trans Am. Dennis and Kyle Mecham back in 1977 wanted to improve the breed of Trans Am that were coming out of the Pontiac Factory. They turned out a limited number of Macho TA's in 1977 and were sold through their father's Pontiac dealership and moved very quickly out the door. Due to their tremendous success, they formed DKM Design and Performance, Inc. in 1978. They made 203 1978 Macho Trans Am and another 200+ in 1979 using the Pontiac 400 engine. In 1980, they stopped using the Pontiac 400 and used the Turbocharged 301 in 1980, which didn't sell all that well due to lack of performance and fuel constraints.
For the 1978 Model year they used the W72 Pontiac 400, but modified the carbueration, ignition, and added Hooker Headers with dual catalytic converters and no mufflers for a net increase of about 50hp. You could also order a Rayjay Turbocharger which produced about 7p.s.i. of boost. In 1978, there only 8 Turbo Macho Trans Am's made and only 22 in 1979. You can tell the Turbo ones from the outside because the word "Turbo" replaced the Trans Am name on the rear spoiler. People have asked me before about a Turbocharged Pontiac 400 and I always told them that there never was one.... Well, I guess I was wrong. DKM also opened up the hood scoop to restore full breathing to the modified engine. They also modified the oil system by using what was called an "oil pressure restorer" by H-O Racing Specialties. It consisted of a canister with a one-quart oil capacity mounted on the firewall and pressurized. If oil sloshed away from the dry-sump oil pick-up in the oil pan, a valve opened up and oil surged into the engine to fill any gaps in oil pressure. The Macho Trans Am could receive 4-speed Borg-Warner, an optional 5-speed Doug Nash transmission, or the automatic transmissions were reprogrammed for quicker shifts. Also, the dash got a 160 MPH speedo and a 8000+ RPM tach.
The suspension was also modified by a set of Koni shocks set at their softest rate, front springs tempered for rake and recalibrated for geometry. They also included the wider wheels and heavier sway bar much like the WS6 Performance package. DKM also added a few comfort features as well like Recaro or Scheel seats, Fosgate radio, a lift-off or tilt-up hood made out of fiberglass (help shed 60lbs.) and also a custom paint job in a variety of non-factory colors.
Each Macho Trans Am was numbered on the rear
spoiler, front bumper and side fenders. The center bird on the steering wheel
was replaced with a DKM logo and also a plaque was added to the center console
to indicate that the car was modified by DKM Design.
