03 Hardware
Connectors & housing
AMPSEAL A/C 12·11·12, B 8·7·8, ABS case, USB-C serial.
5 min readUpdated 2026-08
Race Core F7 uses three TE AMPSEAL connectors through a 3D-printed ABS enclosure. The board headers are right-angle in the connector face; USB-C serial sits on the same end of the case. Colour is the fastest way to not mix the plugs up: A and B are black, C is natural/white.
All terminals: TE 770854-1 (gold recommended for sensors and CAN). Enclosure: 3D-printed water-resistant ABS, USB-C serial on the case.
| ID | Ways | Cavities | Header (on ECU) | Plug (on harness) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 35 black | 12 · 11 · 12 | 776231-1 | 776164-1 | Injectors, ignition, high-side, power GND |
| B | 23 black | 8 · 7 · 8 | 776228-1 | 770680-1 | Power, CAN, VR, digital, ETB |
| C | 35 natural | 12 · 11 · 12 | 776231-2 | 776164-2 | Analogs, 5 V, sensor GND, knock |
Latching
- The connector is not seated until the red (or orange) TPA / lock slides fully home and the lever is flat.
- Never hammer a partially inserted connector. If it will not close, a terminal is backed out — pull it, re-crimp, retry.
- Dress the loom so the connectors are not supporting the weight of the harness. Strain relief within 80 mm.
Which way is pin 1
Pin numbers are moulded into the plug. AMPSEAL 35 (A and C) is three rows of 12, 11 and 12 cavities; AMPSEAL 23 (B) is 8, 7 and 8. The middle row is staggered — one fewer pin, sitting in the gaps of the outer rows. This manual’s interactive pinout matches the plug face as you look into the harness connector (wires toward you, latch up). If you are looking at the ECU header, that view is mirrored.
USB-C serial
TunerStudio and rusEFI Console talk to Race Core over the USB-C port on the enclosure — a USB 2.0 serial device. Use a data cable, not a charge-only lead. Connector B still breaks out USB D+, D− and shield (pins 14, 7, 6) if you want a harness USB; most installs never touch those pins.