Since I think I got moderated for going off-topic with a compliment, I might as well say something helpful and get back in the thread for which I'm getting reminders for.

Relocating the catalytic converter won't work on your car. It's the wrong kind of converter for that. It's physically different, and would not be effective or smog-legal if you hacked it to make it work. You would have to replace your whole exhaust system including the manifold with Honda OEM parts or smog-legal equivalents. Not to mention that there's the whole heated/non-heated o2 sensor issue and getting it to get along with your OBD-II ECU which is expecting a different sensor... It's not worth the expense or trouble on that engine IMO. You won't get much more out of the mods you described on that engine than what you have already.

It sucks you live in Cali. It's easy to do that sort of stuff elsewhere, but not where you live. I don't think it's even legal to replace a known-good catalytic converter there from what I've read. It has to fail first. If you replaced it then you've effectively raised your car's resale value when it comes down to bargaining for $.

If you really want to upgrade your daily driver, you should perhaps consider selling it and buying the car that your ideal swap engine came with. It most likely will be more comfortable, fun to drive, and less hassle than what you're describing... plus it will have more options than the Civic you have. If you have to change something, then just get a more stylish muffler or tip and an intake. You'll hear your new intake more than most exhaust systems anyways, and Honda valvetrains sound really good when they're wound up.