Welcome!
I'm one of those people who run the Simakaze without guns. (going 42/60, or until recently 43/61 is fun) This helps a lot for running in, placing torpedo spreads, and running out of range of various noob CL/CA/BB. That said, one needs to get rather good at dodging enemy fire (the speed helps), and preferably be attacking distracted enemy ships. Especially CA/BB, or crowded groups. It seems weird, having to wait around when you're so much faster than most friendly ships, but it does work.
You probably want to switch form the DD II Heavy to a DD III Heavy engine (assuming that this wasn't a typo).
For GB/Sub hunting, I'm partial to the Fubuki. With a stripped setup (2 sets of of DCs, 1 torpedo launcher, ghosted crew), the Fubuki will have a higher cruise speed (making up for the Simakaze's better overheat ratio). Also, the Fubuki has better turning force. With this, I again run gunless -- DDs don't have the firepower to do much against surfaced subs. (Though DCs can still do some damage, and torpedoes remain effective)
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