I’ve never once had a vehicle smogged in CA. and had the person conducting the smog test crawl under to read the numbers off of the catalytic converter to confirm that it’s the CA. version. Neither has anyone else. You do realize that you can register and smog any vehicle from any of the other 49 states in CA., right? They make no distinction. Only when they are sold new is this applicable.
Do you know anyone in any other state who can accept a package delivery for you? Order the 49 state version of the cat for a fraction of the price, (only catch is that it cannot be shipped to a CA. address), go get it in Nevada or wherever or have it shipped to you. Install it and live happily after, or at least until the next time it’s stolen.