The "normal" orientation for a pump is for the discharge to face up. This is true for both a center OR side discharge pump. Just because the pump wet end is rotated 90 degrees does not make it a "side discharge" pump (a common misconception)
A side discharge pump, when looking at it in its Normal vertical orientation has the discharge slightly offset to the right (when looking at it straight on)
A center discharge pump discharges in the middle... directly above the suction. Side discharge pumps often have slightly higher pump curves because the water can flow evenly straight up instead of making a turn to the center.
http://spapartsnet.com/Pump-Parts/Wet-E ... 1_0_1.html
http://spapartsnet.com/Pump-Parts/Wet-E ... 0_0_1.html[/url]