basic NA mods vs. Turbo kits

FortuneLSX-TT

#1. You mentioned longevity of 10 to 15 years.

I would have to say I think the kits are very reliable and a lot of it depends on the tune and how you drive it. However, there is no denying that when you go FI you add additional stress to the motor. You cannot get anything for free. Don't fool yourself, you are trading reliability for more hp. The only question is how much reliability are you willing to sacrifice for more hp?

In my case, a shop that installed a vacuum line too close to the exhaust caused my waste gates to not control the boost and BOOM, there went a motor.

#2. How much it costs depends on how much of the work you can do yourself. As others have said, with all the questions you have a TT is something you should hold off on. A DIY turbo is also way out of the question.

When modifying costs can escalate quickly.
Say you go TT

Stage 1 TT: 7500
Tune : 500
Oil Cooler 34 row: 600
Clutch/Flywheel: Varies ... say 1-2k
CSC: 400
Radiator: 600
Exhaust & Test pipes: 1500-2000

You're at at around 12k before you even install a single part.
And that's not including labor to install all the parts if you can't do it yourself. Even if you do install everything yourself, there are a ton of small things you're not accounting for. A tool here a tool there, and all the fluids you will need. They all add up. A/C recharge, clutch, power steering, coolant, oil change. (And hope you installed everything right and none of those fluids leak and have to be replaced)

That's not including optional extras either. External gates, boost controller, brake upgrades (pads and lines at least), some stickier and wider tires would be useful too. Some gauges would also be a nice investment, boost and AFR throw in another few hundred for those.

A lot of the other stuff can be added after the fact. But then again adding stuff after the fact may add additional labor too. Either way, you're looking at like 9k up front if you have all the exhaust, and cooling mods on the car already.

To be honest, you should probably stay NA. Turbo cars can be fun, but they can also be finnicky. It's a love/hate relationship most people have with their turbo car.