I have a MY01 with 33K miles on it. I change the oil & filter every 3K miles. About 5 months ago I installed a Berk header & test pipe. there are no CELs, I replaced the PCV about 60 days ago and at that time I did the modified krank vent using the Supra PCV. I have also done some intake manifold work: Porting to 70mm to match a 70mm TB and using a Hondata gasket.

I have checked my oil and I have not had to add any between oil changes,

The car runs great and has not shown any signs of problems other than the black soot on the exhaust tips.

Any suggestions?

 

normal.
put the stock catalyst back on and you'll see the soot go away.
or leave the test pipe on and tune the car to run lean. but thats something you should NOT do.

 

My other 2 choices could be to leave the test pipe on and just wipe the soot off or install a hi flow converter when I put the rest of the exhaust system on.

 

The black on the tips is not related to oil usage (typically). The black on the tips is carbon buildup, caused by unburnt fuel getting into your exhaust system. This means the car is running rich. As stated above, the stock cat converter blocks alot of this from getting onto your tips.

 

Eventually, you'll have the soot on your bumper as well.

Claybar.

 

Its normal, just polish it up.

 

gas??

 

This is normal with a test pipe.

 

I've got a hi-flow cat and it does the exact same thing. It's perfectly normal. I'm just lazy, so I have black tips

 

It's all the shit your cat burns off in the name of clean air, smog.