There is pressure sensor in the trans but since you put new trans in I doubt that is the problem. It mite be your pcm ( I don't think the ecm had advanced enough to run the trans and engine).
The pcm controls shifting from receiving data from several senors, engine position senor,cam position senor (the 12 valves only had engine speed sensor) which ever one sends rpm readings to ecm and the pcm, vehicle speed sensor, trans pressure sensor, of course the tps(throttle position sensor). Wiring going to the trans has caused problems.