You do have he option of using the 1.3 IB5 gearbox which has a rear mounted starter. No mods needed at all to fit it then. Mount's will bolt right up and drive shafts fit etc. That's from a 1.3 mk4 fiesta.

No thread on mine... but I've just got home from a quick blast and it was wheel spinning both front wheels (quaife LSD) in 3rd at 50mph haha