Sure you can make a Hatch faster, it is lighter. You can still swap in any motor you basically would with an INtegra, but.... its a civic.

No im not knocking them guys, its just I've driven a million civics and they all free cheesy and less comfy/safe than my Integra.
I get in my integra, and while it may be a false sense of security and luxury, it definatly feels better than the CIvic.

Just my 0.02

So if youw ant brute power and dont care about anything else, keep the hatch.
If you want an all around more comfy, and better FEELING car, go with the Integra.