CONTINUOUSWAVE

I have a 2005 180 Dauntless with a 2003 Mercury 135 OptiMax, a counter rotating model. A previous owner did a re-power, when and for what reason, I do not know. The gauges are the smart gauges [possibly means Mercury SmartCraft gauges].

I may re-power, and I am considering a Suzuki DF140 or 150.

[Give me advice on re-powering.]

Money is always a consideration.

I suppose I will need new gauges.

Is [re-powering with another Mercury engine] better [than re-powering with another brand engine]?

Will the current [SmartCraft] gauges work [with a non-Mercury engine]?

As of a few years ago most outboard engines moved away from analog gauges. Some engines are rigged [with electronic shift and throttle (EST) remote controls].

My point: any money saved by recycling rigging has been diminished. Many engines support engine data being displayed on GPS/Chartplotter/Monitors.

My previous boat was a 1999 Dauntless 18 powered by a two stroke, carbureted, 150hp Evinrude.
I would strongly recommend a 150hp engine. Mercury makes the lightest 150 four stroke, in case stern weight is a factor.

Mercury is the only modern engine that does not use NMEA-2000 instrumentation. Mercury uses a proprietary non-compatible system called SmartCraft. From you narrative that mentions “smart” gauges, I infer you have SmartCraft gauges. They won’t be useful on any outboard engine other than a Mercury.