[projectRDM]

You answered your own question. You're getting mixed answers bcause you're looking all over for them. 60% of the forum participants anywhere are idiots (90% on NICO). You do NOT need anything connected to the transmission to operate the car, period. If you want a speedometer, hook up the VSS. If you want reverse lights, hook up the reverse switch. Those are the only two switches you would need, ever. Period.

The automatic transmission harness will have the reverse wire in it, but there's no switch like on a 5spd, you'll have to hardwire it in or use a 5spd harness. The VSS is separate and easy to find/connect. Auto cars do not have a neutral position switch like the 5spd, there's a feed wire but it's a +12V trigger, not ground like the 5spd. And you don't need it anyway.